National

Authorities are investigating the sending of suspicious letters, some containing fentanyl, to elections offices in at least five states, including Georgia, Nevada, California, Oregon, and Washington. The letters, some intercepted before delivery, delayed ballot counting in local races. Four of the letters contained the powerful opioid fentanyl. The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are treating the incidents as acts of domestic terrorism and working to intercept additional letters. The letters, featuring various symbols and messages, raise concerns about the safety of election workers and underscore the ongoing threats faced by election officials across the country. Read Article

National: One year out: how a free and fair 2024 presidential election could be under threat | Zachary Roth/News From The States

As the U.S. approaches another presidential election, concerns arise over potential threats to the electoral process. Despite arrests and convictions related to the January 6th Capitol attack, there’s little indication of moderation among those who challenged the election. Former President Trump has hinted at seeking retribution if reinstated, an election denier now leads one House of Congress, and threats of political violence influence key voting decisions. A recent poll reveals that 3 out of 4 respondents believe American democracy is at risk, with nearly a quarter suggesting violence might be necessary to safeguard the nation. Experts emphasize the need to assess vulnerabilities and reinforce the electoral system against potential subversion, chaos, voter suppression, and administrative challenges. Read Article

National: Why countering false election claims may be harder in 2024 | Shannon Bond and Miles Parks/NPR

Election officials and experts express concerns over the growing pressure from the political right, led by figures like former President Donald Trump and GOP Congressman Jim Jordan, that has framed efforts to combat election misinformation as censorship. A campaign of legal and political pressure has led to the scaling back or dismantling of tools and partnerships designed to address falsehoods, even as foreign threats and concerns about misinformation persist. Instances like the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security’s Disinformation Governance Board and a lawsuit alleging collusion between the Biden administration and social media companies have contributed to a chilling effect on efforts to combat election-related rumors and conspiracy theories. This pressure has also affected social media platforms’ willingness to police false claims and misinformation, raising concerns about the ability to counter election-related falsehoods effectively. Read Article

National: Microsoft, Meta detail plans to fight election disinformation in 2024 | Brandon Vigliarolo/The Register

Microsoft and Meta have unveiled initiatives to address misinformation in the lead-up to the 2024 elections, although the effectiveness of these strategies remains uncertain. Microsoft’s five-step election protection plan, set to be implemented in several countries with critical elections in 2024, includes a Content Credentials service for digital watermarking of images and videos to verify authenticity. However, concerns exist regarding its recognition in Chrome and other web browsers and the potential for metadata tampering. Microsoft also plans to offer advisory services to political campaigns on handling AI and cyber influence, establish an Election Communications Hub, and support legislative changes against harmful uses of technology like the Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act, introduced in the US Senate in September. Meta, on the other hand, is focusing on ad transparency, requiring disclosure for digitally manipulated or altered content in social, electoral, or political ads, aiming to combat misinformation disseminated through ads. This change will be implemented globally in 2024. Read Article

National: Readying an Election Administration Workforce for What Comes Next | Carl Smith/Governing

The Election Workforce Advisory Council, established by The Elections Group in partnership with the Bipartisan Policy Center, aims to address the evolving role of election administrators in the U.S. As the responsibilities of election officials have expanded to include IT management, legal compliance, cybersecurity, and public health measures due to factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and increased security threats, the council will work on long-term projects to enhance training, recruitment, and retention of election administrators. The initiative is expected to help adapt to the changing demands of the role and provide support for election officials, particularly as many have left their positions in recent years. Read Article

Guilty pleas stack up in Georgia, but lies continue to reverberate | Carrie Levine/Votebeat

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is investigating Cochise County supervisors Tom Crosby and Peggy Judd, both Republicans, for their refusal to certify the county’s midterm election results within the state-required deadline. The subpoenas, issued by Mayes’ office, do not specify the criminal violations being investigated. The two supervisors had initially voted to postpone the certification, citing unfounded claims about ballot tabulation machines, and also attempted to implement a full hand count of all ballots, both of which were deemed illegal. Mayes’ probe aims to deter similar disruptions in future elections, potentially setting a precedent for holding officials accountable for their duties in accordance with state law. Read Article

National: State and local election workers quitting amid abuse, officials tell U.S. Senate panel | Jacob Fischler/Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Election officials from several states testified at a U.S. Senate committee hearing about the increasing threats and intimidation they face, which have led experienced workers to leave the profession. Conspiracy theories and misinformation have fueled a hostile environment for election workers, prompting many to quit, creating challenges for the inexperienced new leaders. This situation has worsened since 2020, with officials in Arizona and Pennsylvania reporting significant resignations. The hostile environment has made it difficult to retain experienced poll workers and recruit and train new ones, presenting a major challenge in running elections. The panel emphasized the bipartisan nature of the issue and the need for continued federal funding to address it. Read Article

National: Republicans claw back control of elections in key states | Zach Montellaro/Politico

Republican officials in key battleground states are focusing on asserting more control over the election process, particularly targeting offices and agencies responsible for overseeing elections. Efforts include attempts to oust Wisconsin’s elections chief over baseless 2020 election conspiracies, restructuring election boards in North Carolina that could lead to stalemates on key issues like early voting, and dismantling the election office in Texas’ largest county. These moves, seen as part of a broader trend, have raised concerns about the potential impact on public confidence in the electoral system and may disrupt preparations for the 2024 elections. Read Article

National: White House 2024: AI Threatens To ‘Supercharge’ Disinformation | Anuj Chopra/AFP

The upcoming 2024 White House race is expected to be heavily influenced by advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools, presenting both opportunities and challenges. AI programs can now generate realistic images, videos, and text impersonating political figures, potentially confusing voters and eroding trust in the electoral process. Campaigns are also utilizing AI for tasks like voter database analysis and fundraising emails. However, this technology’s potential for disinformation campaigns is concerning, with AI-generated content being used to distort the truth and smear opponents. A recent poll indicates that over 50% of Americans believe AI-enabled falsehoods will impact the outcome of the 2024 election, and around one-third will be less trusting of the results due to AI-generated content. While AI provides new tools for understanding voters and trends, there’s a growing need for regulations and standards to curb its potential for misuse in political campaigns. Read Article

A Key Piece of Voting Technology Isn’t Federally Tested. That May Change | Eric Geller/The Messenger

October 30, 2023

The staff of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) has proposed the establishment of a testing and certification program for electronic poll books, which are tablet computers used by poll workers to verify voters’ eligibility. These e-poll books, though vital to the election process, currently lack federal security regulations. If implemented, this program would ensure that e-poll books meet privacy, security, and accessibility standards. While the proposal is being considered, any formal testing program for e-poll books won’t be in place for several years, likely missing the 2024 presidential election. This delay is due to the need for refining testing requirements, creating operational guidelines, and providing manufacturers with guidance for compliance. Read Article

National: Schumer endorses guardrails for AI use in elections, considers candidate pledge | Carolina Nihill/FedScoop

October 30, 2023

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that guidelines for political candidates’ use of artificial intelligence (AI) are in development and might be implemented for the 2024 elections. Speaking at a summit, Schumer emphasized the need for guardrails to prevent AI from deceiving voters or disrupting electoral processes. He referred to a suggestion by Washington Post columnist Geoffrey A. Fowler, proposing an election pledge for candidates to label AI-generated communications and refrain from using AI to misrepresent competitors or confuse voters. Schumer stressed the importance of establishing AI guardrails ahead of the 2024 presidential election to ensure election integrity and combat misinformation. Read Article

National: Russia working to undermine trust in elections globally, US intelligence says | AFP/The Guardian

October 23, 2023

According to a US intelligence report shared with around 100 countries, Russia is using its spy network, state-controlled media, and social media to erode public trust in elections worldwide. The report highlights that Russia conducted a concerted effort between 2020 and 2022 to undermine public confidence in at least 11 elections across nine democracies, including the United States. An additional 17 democracies were targeted through subtler methods involving Russian messaging and social media activity. The report asserts that Russia’s objective is to sow instability within democratic societies and depict democratic elections as dysfunctional, resulting in illegitimate governments. The US recognizes its own vulnerability to this threat, particularly evidenced in attempts to undermine confidence in the 2020 US election and Covid-19 pandemic response. Read Article

National: Alarms sound over high turnover among election workers | Julia Mueller/The Hill

Experts are warning of potential chaos and confusion in the November 2024 presidential election due to high turnover among local election officials and workers, largely driven by threats and scrutiny associated with false claims of voter fraud. This exodus could lead to understaffed and inexperienced teams grappling with ongoing conspiracies and misinformation, with some overseeing a high-stakes presidential election for the first time. Concerns are raised about the loss of experience, potential for mistakes, and increased suspicion around the electoral process, with experts highlighting the need for a committed and well-supported workforce in these roles. Additionally, the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology and deep-fake videos is seen as a potential source of false information in the upcoming election. Read Article

National: The drive to hand count ballots is growing. The GOP could stop it. | Jessica Huseman/Votebeat

The movement to hand-count ballots, particularly championed by far-right groups, is causing significant issues, particularly in conservative areas. The push for manual vote tallies is leading to disenfranchisement in these regions due to the costly, labor-intensive nature of the practice. An example is Kerr County in Texas, where a Republican commissioner is leading the charge, resulting in disruptions and resignations among election administrators. Similar problems have emerged in Cochise County, Arizona, Nye County, Nevada, and Shasta County, California. Even fellow Republicans are reconsidering their support for hand counting, recognizing its problematic outcomes. Read Article

National: Republican states swore off a voting tool. Now they’re scrambling to recreate it | Miles Parks/NPR

Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen has introduced the Alabama Voter Integrity Database (AVID), a program that aims to monitor voter movements, deaths, and potential illegal voting across states. Allen claims AVID is the first of its kind, but it appears to mirror the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), a bipartisan, cross-state partnership for voter list maintenance. However, Allen, along with several other Republican secretaries of state, withdrew from ERIC earlier this year, citing conspiracy theories. This move has prompted a scattered effort on the right to recreate a system similar to ERIC, which experts and election officials doubt will be as effective. These new initiatives may lack the necessary data for reliable voter list comparison, and they are viewed as less likely to fully replicate ERIC, which was a carefully engineered and well-established system. The new agreements do not include sharing critical driver’s license data, which was a key component of ERIC’s accuracy and reliability. Read Article

National: Election Integrity in the Age of Generative AI: Fact vs. Fiction | Carl Smith/Governing

The rise of AI-generated content poses a new challenge in the fight against election misinformation. Election officials, already stretched thin, lack the resources and expertise to combat AI-generated disinformation effectively. While some states have taken steps to address this issue, the potential for AI to accelerate existing threats to election integrity is a concern. AI could be used to create misleading websites, generate robocalls, and produce deepfake videos, further undermining trust in the electoral process. The exponential growth in AI capabilities adds an extra layer of complexity, making it difficult to predict or mitigate potential threats. The need for robust strategies to counter AI-generated disinformation in elections is becoming increasingly urgent. Read Article

Georgia: Trump co-defendant Sidney Powell pleads guilty in Georgia election interference case | Holly Bailey and Amy Gardner/The Washington Post

Sidney Powell, a former member of Donald Trump’s legal team, pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to commit intentional interference with the performance of election duties related to her involvement in a secretive effort to access and copy election software in rural Coffee County, Georgia. Powell was sentenced to six years’ probation, a $6,000 fine, and $2,700 in restitution to the state of Georgia. She also agreed to testify truthfully in her co-defendants’ trials. This development could have significant implications for Trump, as Powell is an unnamed co-conspirator in the federal case against him. Powell was a key Trump adviser in the weeks following the 2020 election, and her actions regarding Coffee County raise questions about how high up in the Trump campaign her actions were known and whether she will implicate co-defendants like Rudy Giuliani or Trump himself when she testifies. Read Article

A government shutdown could still happen, with consequences for elections. | Carrie Levine/Votebeat

The looming possibility of a federal government shutdown could have significant consequences for the planning and security of the 2024 elections in the United States. Election officials are already preparing for the upcoming elections, and any disruption due to a government shutdown could lead to delays in critical security assessments for local election offices, potentially impacting their ability to implement necessary physical improvements. This concern is particularly pertinent given the ongoing threats and challenges in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential elections. It’s crucial that federal officials are able to provide support and intelligence on cybersecurity, physical security, and disinformation efforts to aid state and local election officials in safeguarding the democratic process. The potential shutdown also adds another layer of uncertainty for election officials who are already contending with unprecedented threats. Read Article

National: Artificial Intelligence and Election Security | Lawrence Norden and Gowri Ramachandran/Brennan Center for Justice

Within the elections community, many officials have expressed grave concerns about what generative AI might mean for election security. That sentiment aligns with recent media discourse highlighting the dangers posed by AI. An illustrative May 2023 article in the Washington Post described an increase in phishing attacks attributed to AI, noting that such attacks are “just the beginning . . . as attackers use artificial intelligence to write software that can break into . . . networks in novel ways, change appearance and functionality to beat detection, and smuggle data back out through processes that appear normal.” Read Report

National: Amazon’s Alexa has been claiming the 2020 election was stolen | Cat Zakrzewski/The Washington Post

Amazon’s voice assistant, Alexa, has been found disseminating misinformation about the 2020 presidential election, falsely claiming it was stolen. When asked about fraud in the election, Alexa cited unvetted sources, including Rumble and Substack, and stated that there were “many incidents of irregularities and indications pointing to electoral fraud.” Multiple investigations have found no evidence of widespread fraud, but the misinformation from Alexa raises concerns about the spread of false narratives through AI systems. Amazon has not provided an explanation for why Alexa’s responses drew from unverified sources, but has stated that such errors were delivered a small number of times and were quickly rectified when brought to their attention. The incident highlights the potential for AI-driven systems to amplify falsehoods and biases present in their sources. Read Article

National: ‘Alive and well’: Election deniers linger in statewide, presidential elections | Savannah Kuchar/USA Today

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, a Republican, acknowledges the impact of conspiracy theories on election officials and workers in 2020 but believes that concerns over misinformation are diminishing, as the economy and other issues take precedence for most voters. However, research by States United Action suggests that election denial has become an entrenched element of American politics, with candidates who supported baseless voter fraud claims in 2022 now running again in 2024. These candidates, including Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, continue to perpetuate the false narrative, and while there are hopes that the narrative will fade, its long-term impact remains uncertain. Schwab also highlights the challenges in recruiting and retaining poll workers due to threats and intimidation they faced during the 2020 election. Read Article

National: ‘A.I. Obama’ and Fake Newscasters: How A.I. Audio Is Swarming TikTok | Stuart A. Thompson and Sapna Maheshwari/The New York Times

Advanced artificial intelligence tools that can clone real voices with remarkable accuracy have been used to create fake audio, amplifying the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories. These AI-generated voices are becoming a potent weapon in the online misinformation landscape, potentially accelerating political disinformation ahead of the 2024 elections. The manipulated audio complements the challenges posed by “deepfake” videos, ChatGPT-generated human-like writing, and image synthesis tools. TikTok and other platforms are working to detect and label AI-generated media, but staying ahead of this technology remains a challenge. Read Article

Opinion: Exodus of state election workers posing a threat to democracy | Mark Z. Barabak/Los Angeles Times

The spread of election denialism and falsehoods about the 2020 election is having a tangible impact on local election officials, with roughly 40% of chief local elections officials in 11 Western states, including California, being new to the job since 2020, according to a study by political reform group Issue One. In battleground states like Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah, the turnover exceeds 50%. Experienced election professionals are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the election process, but many are leaving due to harassment and threats. This turnover could have serious consequences for the smooth operation of elections and further erode public trust in the system. The study emphasizes the need for increased federal funding, improved election security, and legislation to protect election officials and their staff from harassment and interference. Reads Article

National: AI disinformation is a threat to elections − learning to spot Russian, Chinese and Iranian meddling in other countries can help the US prepare for 2024 | Bruce Schneier/The Conversation

The evolving threat of foreign interference in elections is now being amplified by artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI and large language models. These technologies, introduced in late 2022 and early 2023, possess the capability to rapidly generate vast amounts of text in various tones and perspectives, making them potent tools for internet-era propaganda. As election seasons approach in numerous democratic countries, including Argentina, Taiwan, Indonesia, India, the European Union, and the U.S., the potential for AI-driven disinformation campaigns is substantial. While companies like Meta have become more adept at identifying and removing fake accounts, platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, and TikTok provide new challenges, as they are less transparent and more suitable for short, provocative videos. Additionally, generative AI enables novel production and distribution techniques, like deploying persona bots on social media, which, when replicated en masse, could exert significant influence. Read Article

Voter rolls are becoming the new battleground over secure elections as amateur sleuths hunt fraud | Morgan Lee and Anthony Izaguirre/Associated Press

A group called New York Citizens Audit has been impersonating government officials and harassing residents in New York, falsely accusing them of breaking the law. State prosecutors have issued a cease-and-desist order, demanding that the group stop these unlawful voter deception and intimidation efforts. This tactic raises concerns among state election officials as conservative groups, motivated by false claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election, seek to access and potentially publish state voter registration rolls. The fear is that this could lead to voter disenfranchisement through intimidation or canceled registrations, and local election offices could face a flood of challenges to voter registration listings as they prepare for the 2024 elections. These efforts reflect the ongoing battle over voter data, balancing the need for transparency with the necessity to safeguard voter rolls from cyber threats. Read Article

National: Turnover of Election Officials in Swing States Adds Strain for 2024, Report Says | Neil Vigdor/The New York Times

A report by the Voting Rights Lab warns of a potential strain on the election system in 2024 due to a wave of resignations and retirements by election officials in battleground states, driven by threats, harassment, and interference. The departures in states like Arizona and Pennsylvania could weaken the independence of these positions, with over 50 top election officials at the county level leaving in Pennsylvania since the 2020 election. In Arizona, the top election officials in 13 out of 15 counties have also left during the same period, partly due to harassment and security concerns stemming from disproven conspiracy theories. The report also highlights other potential obstacles for the 2024 election, including new rules in Georgia and North Carolina likely to increase voter eligibility challenges and stricter ID requirements. Read Article

National: The disinformation sleuths: a key role for scientists in impending elections | Nature

Next year will see significant elections globally, and social media will play a crucial role in disseminating information to voters. However, researchers studying political campaigns and outcomes are concerned about the lack of access to Twitter data, which was previously available for research purposes. Twitter has discontinued its policy of providing researchers with special access to its data. This change could hinder researchers’ ability to monitor disinformation campaigns, especially those potentially involving AI-generated deepfakes, during upcoming elections. Access to reliable data is crucial for assessing the impact of online platforms on various aspects, including mental health, harassment, privacy violations, and hate speech. Read Article

National: Meta and X questioned by lawmakers over lack of rules against AI-generated political deepfakes | Matt O’Brien/Associated Press

Two Democratic members of Congress, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Representative Yvette Clarke, have sent a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and X CEO Linda Yaccarino expressing concerns about the emergence of AI-generated political ads on their platforms. They are calling on social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram, to explain why they aren’t imposing new labels on deceptive AI-generated political advertisements that could potentially fake a candidate’s voice or actions. The lawmakers argue that with the 2024 elections approaching, a lack of transparency about this type of content could lead to a dangerous deluge of election-related misinformation and disinformation. Read Article

National: Wealthy GOP donor bankrolled Cyber Ninjas’ effort to get voting data, whistleblower says | Bruce Siwy Robert Anglen/Arizona Republic