The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb 8, 2024

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

The weekend before the New Hampshire Presidential Primary, some Democratic voters received robo calls with an AI-generated voice sounding like President Joe Biden, suggesting they not vote.  February 6th, the New Hampshire Attorney General and Federal Communications Commission announced actions against the companies allegedly responsible.

In a press conference Tuesday, State Attorney General John Formella confirmed President Joe Biden’s voice was generated by AI, and had reached between 5,000 and 25,000 voters.   The voice told voters,  “It’s important that you save your vote for the November election,” and “Your vote makes a difference in November, not this Tuesday.” 

Joe Biden’s name was not on the ballot due to a dispute between New Hampshire’s state law requiring it to be the first primary, and the National Democratic Committee.   A robust write-in campaign had been launched in New Hampshire, apparently what the robo call was intended to suppress.

While no charges have yet been filed, Formella said cease and desist and document preservation letters had been sent to the suspected senders, Arlington, TX-based Life Corporation and Walter Monk, and the telecom company which transmitted the calls, Lingo Telecom.   The FCC demanded that Lingo cease all illegal robo call activity.  Several state and federal statutes were violated, and charges are likely.

We have links to the AG’s statement and more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl. 

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
New Hampshire Public Radio – NH authorities investigating robocall that uses artificially created Biden voice
NBC10 Boston – Fake Biden robocall pre-NH primary appears illegal, AG says (Includes full call content)
New Hampshire Dept. of Justice – Voter Suppression AI Robocall Investigation Update
Federal Communications Commission – FCC DEMANDS ENTITY BEHIND ROBOCALLS IN NEW
HAMPSHIRE TO STOP ILLEGAL EFFORT TO TARGET VOTERS
New Hampshire Public Radio – NH attorney general, FCC trace AI robocalls impersonating Biden back to Texas company
The Hill – Fake Biden robocall ‘tip of the iceberg’ for AI election misinformation

Groups Taking Action:
Brennan Center for Justice, Common Cause, Union of Concerned Scientists

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #StopDisinformation #DeepFake #NHPolitics #BidenRoboCall

The post Suspected Senders Identified in AI-Generated Robo Calls Faking Joe Biden’s Voice Before New Hampshire’s Presidential Primary appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Sept. 6, 2023

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

The scope of the New York election official impersonation story has widened.  And in Texas, the state legislature just dismantled its largest county’s election office.

First to New York, where 13 counties now report that activists showed up at homes demanding to see ID and accusing voters of being registered in more than one county.  A co-chair of the New York Board of Elections said: “These individuals are impersonating government officials in an effort to intimidate voters based on inaccurate and misleading information.” 

The Board asked New York state residents to report suspicious encounters QUOTE,  “. . . the State Board recommends collecting as much information as possible, not providing the individual with any personal information, and contacting local law enforcement to report the incident.” UNQUOTE  No arrests have been made, or the coordinating group confirmed.

Friday, the State of Texas eliminated the position of election director for Harris County, home to the liberal-leaning city of Houston, after organizational problems in the 2022 midterms.  Election responsibility now falls on the county’s clerk and tax collector, just six weeks prior to early voting for County Elections starts in October.    The legislature gave the state specific  authority to take this Harris County action earlier this summer, paired with another law allowing the state to take control of county elections when complaints are filed by county or party officials, or candidates. 

We have more on both stories at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl. 

Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
New York Elections Board – State Board of Elections warns New York voters against impersonation of County
WXXI – Election officials warn of people impersonating staff, confronting voters at home
Houston Public Media – Judge temporarily blocks law abolishing Harris County elections administrator’s office; Texas AG files appeal
Texas Tribune – Texas Supreme Court lets state law eliminating Harris County elections chief stand, for now
CNN – Houston-area elections office dismantled as contentious Texas law takes effect
Texas Legislature – SB 1750 
Texas Legislature – SB 1933 

Groups Taking Action:
Texas Civil Rights Project, Houston in Action,  League of Women Voters Houston

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!
#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ElectionDeniers #ProtectPollWorkers

The post Reports of False Election Officials Intimidating Voters Widens to 13 NY Counties; Texas Eliminates the Election Office in its Biggest County appeared first on American Democracy Minute.