Lower Bucks Today

On May 14, 2024, Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6), Doug Lamborn (CO-5), and Abigail Spanberger (VA-7) announced their new legislation, the Preparing Election Administrators for AI Act. This bipartisan bill aims to mitigate potential risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in elections.

The proposed legislation instructs the Election Assistance Commission, in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to produce a report. This document will provide voluntary guidelines addressing the use and risks of AI technologies and cybersecurity threats in election administration. It will also examine how information generated by AI technologies can impact the sharing of accurate election information and advise on how election offices should respond.

Congressman Fitzpatrick emphasized the necessity of preparing state and local officials for the increasing potential of AI utilization in elections and campaigns. He stated, “With the growing potential for artificial intelligence to be utilized in elections and campaigns, it is essential that state and local officials are prepared and provided with the resources to keep the election process secure.” He further added his pride in leading this bipartisan initiative which would require federal assistance in developing guidelines for election administrators on AI usage.

Congresswoman Houlahan echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that ensuring electoral integrity transcends party lines. She highlighted that as AI becomes more prevalent, it is crucial to equip election administrators with necessary tools and guidelines to protect our democratic process.

Congresswoman Spanberger underscored the need for clear guidelines to safeguard US elections against adversarial uses of AI by global entities including Russia and China. She stated that Americans need confidence in their vote while election officials require tools and training to navigate potential vulnerabilities related to AI.

The bill addresses several challenges posed by AI including misinformation dissemination, possible disruption of election infrastructure, biases in voter targeting, and manipulation of public opinion through automated accounts. The aim is to uphold democratic processes while fostering trust and confidence in elections across all political parties.

Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced a companion version of this bill in the U.S. Senate in March 2024. Senator Klobuchar is the chairwoman of the Senate Rules Committee with oversight over federal elections.