Campaigns & Elections

DHS expanding citizenship system for voter verification, despite concerns about potential disenfranchisement

Twenty-six states are in line to use a revamped DHS system to check their voter rolls for non-citizens, although the network has raised concerns about privacy and accuracy — including if it could kick eligible voters off the rolls.

Voters approve digitized New York City map amid affordable housing push

Supporters said the new map, which was approved overwhelmingly last week, will help speed up approvals of new housing and development projects. Opponents warned it would centralize power away from the five boroughs.

Updated Oklahoma campaign finance system will launch in two weeks

Guardian 2.0 will make filing and public access to campaign finance information easier, have a new login, and a more intuitive filing experience, according to state officials.

DOJ files suit against six states that refused to share voter data

The Trump administration is seeking personal data on millions of Americans.

Texas counties struggle to process voter registrations using state’s new TEAM system

State officials push back on complaints about software problems. Meanwhile, unprocessed applications are piling up.

Eric Adams wants to use AI to make NYC hiring faster

“OMB is not the mayor, I’m the mayor,” Adams said when asked whether the city’s budget office interferes too much and slows hiring.

ERIC data-sharing alliance helps uncover alleged double voting case in Pennsylvania

The program has come under attack from conservatives in recent years.

2025 is the year New York political campaigns embrace AI

From uncanny music videos to policies researched by ChatGPT, the AI revolution has come for the political campaign industry, for better or worse.

Amid questions over ChatGPT use, Detroit school board candidate withdraws

DPSCD confirmed that Traci Ricks withdrew her application on Wednesday, as questions were raised about the use of ChatGPT in the application materials attributed to her.

Local election officials worry about federal cuts to security, survey shows

The concern comes as the Trump administration has curtailed election cybersecurity work.

What the REAL ID delay tells us about implementing proof-of-citizenship laws

Twenty years into the program, millions of Americans still don’t have the right ID to board a plane. If similar dysfunction plays out in our elections, the stakes are much higher than a missed flight.

With AI on the rise, Texas House passes bill requiring more transparency in political ads

The bill faced fierce opposition from hardline conservatives who say it is policing speech and could allow the state to jail people over silly political memes.

Georgia House passes bill to criminalize using AI-generated political ads intended to deceive

A bill aimed at reducing misleading AI-generated political ads passed the state House with a bipartisan 152-12 vote Thursday.

Democrats push Justice Department to keep Election Threats Task Force amid rollbacks

The task force was created to help protect election officials from stalking and threats, but its future remains in question after the Trump administration scrapped other election integrity initiatives.

What’s next for cybersecurity, election info sharing?

Federal funding has been slashed by $10 million for two information sharing centers, which both have tens of thousands of members. A more fragmented and expensive future could follow as states and others go it alone.

Louisiana to share voter data with other states

The voter registration data of Louisiana residents will be shared with officials in Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi.

Texas counties left scrambling after critical election equipment loses its certification

Texas decertified a widely used electronic pollbook after problems in November. Will a fix arrive in time for the next election?

The apocalypse that wasn’t: AI was everywhere in 2024’s elections, but deepfakes and misinformation were only part of the picture

COMMENTARY | Like it or not, AI is now part and parcel of elections, from helping with mundane campaign functions to enabling politicians to speak to constituents in multiple languages at once.

Elections offices slowly turn to .gov domain in the fight against misinformation

Uptake has been slow, even as the federal government has made it free. Experts said it could help election officials stand apart as purveyors of truthful information.

States reject changes to how elections are administered

Advocates had hoped ranked choice voting would be instituted in more states but were left disappointed last night. Only Washington, D.C. and some small municipalities approved its use.