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Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) has introduced AB 2839 to crack down on AI-generated deepfakes that spread misleading information about elections, including candidates running for office and voting logistics.
Specifically, AB 2839 prohibits a person from knowingly distributing digitally modified and materially deceptive communications about candidates running for office, elected officials, elections officials, voting procedures and sites, and equipment used to conduct an election.
These prohibitions would apply to AI-generated deepfake audio, images, and videos, 120 days before an election inclusive to 60 days following the election.
The bill is timely, following an AI-influenced general election in Argentina and coming weeks after a deepfake audio recording impersonating President Biden which sought to discourage Democratic voters from voting in the New Hampshire primary election.
“There have always been bad actors who try to wreak havoc on elections. I remember an election where people distributed door hangers which gave people the wrong polling location in order to disrupt the election outcome,” said Assemblymember Gail Pellerin. “But now the widespread access to generative AI is making that type of damage so much more sophisticated and easier to disseminate.”
Assemblymember Pellerin served as the chief elections official in Santa Cruz County for 27 years. She also served as President of the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials from 2010 to 2012 and currently chairs the Assembly Committee on Elections.
“Getting the right information to voters is crucial to a functioning democracy, and it becomes very difficult to ensure the integrity of the election when these deepfakes are spread online to intentionally misinform voters,” said Assemblymember Pellerin.
Specifically, AB 2839 prohibits a person from knowingly distributing digitally modified and materially deceptive communications about candidates running for office, elected officials, elections officials, voting procedures and sites, and equipment used to conduct an election.
These prohibitions would apply to AI-generated deepfake audio, images, and videos, 120 days before an election inclusive to 60 days following the election.
The bill is timely, following an AI-influenced general election in Argentina and coming weeks after a deepfake audio recording impersonating President Biden which sought to discourage Democratic voters from voting in the New Hampshire primary election.
“There have always been bad actors who try to wreak havoc on elections. I remember an election where people distributed door hangers which gave people the wrong polling location in order to disrupt the election outcome,” said Assemblymember Gail Pellerin. “But now the widespread access to generative AI is making that type of damage so much more sophisticated and easier to disseminate.”
Assemblymember Pellerin served as the chief elections official in Santa Cruz County for 27 years. She also served as President of the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials from 2010 to 2012 and currently chairs the Assembly Committee on Elections.
“Getting the right information to voters is crucial to a functioning democracy, and it becomes very difficult to ensure the integrity of the election when these deepfakes are spread online to intentionally misinform voters,” said Assemblymember Pellerin.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The Clearlake Oaks Moose Lodge will hold a veterans dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 21.
It will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
They will serve spaghetti and garlic bread, with salad and dessert.
Fiddler and Marsha will perform.
The event is free to all veterans, with a $10 donation requested for non-veterans.
The Moose Lodge is located at 15900 East Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks.
For more information, call the lodge at 707-998-3740.
It will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
They will serve spaghetti and garlic bread, with salad and dessert.
Fiddler and Marsha will perform.
The event is free to all veterans, with a $10 donation requested for non-veterans.
The Moose Lodge is located at 15900 East Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks.
For more information, call the lodge at 707-998-3740.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office will convene an election observer panel to observe activities associated with the presidential primary election, which will be held on March 5.
Representatives of the Lake County Grand Jury, political party county central committees, local clubs, media and other groups or individuals expressing an interest in observing Election Day activities will be invited to participate.
The purpose of an election observer panel is to provide the public with the opportunity to observe and make suggestions on ways to improve the election process; maintain the integrity of the election process; build voter confidence and encourage voter and public participation in the election process.
Typically, members of the panel visit one or more polling places on Election Day and then visit the central ballot counting center located in the Registrar of Voters Office, 325 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport, to observe the tabulation of ballots on election night.
Panel members are also invited to observe the processing of vote-by-mail ballots at the Registrar of Voters Office.
Members of the panel will be provided with the information they need to participate in these activities.
Anyone interested in serving on the election observer panel should contact the Registrar of Voters Office by phone, email, or in person.
Please respond with names and mailing addresses of those interested by Feb. 26.
For more information, call the elections office at 707-263-2372 or toll-free at 888-235-6730.
Representatives of the Lake County Grand Jury, political party county central committees, local clubs, media and other groups or individuals expressing an interest in observing Election Day activities will be invited to participate.
The purpose of an election observer panel is to provide the public with the opportunity to observe and make suggestions on ways to improve the election process; maintain the integrity of the election process; build voter confidence and encourage voter and public participation in the election process.
Typically, members of the panel visit one or more polling places on Election Day and then visit the central ballot counting center located in the Registrar of Voters Office, 325 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport, to observe the tabulation of ballots on election night.
Panel members are also invited to observe the processing of vote-by-mail ballots at the Registrar of Voters Office.
Members of the panel will be provided with the information they need to participate in these activities.
Anyone interested in serving on the election observer panel should contact the Registrar of Voters Office by phone, email, or in person.
Please respond with names and mailing addresses of those interested by Feb. 26.
For more information, call the elections office at 707-263-2372 or toll-free at 888-235-6730.
- Details
- Written by: Lake County Registrar of Voters Office
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — The Middletown Luncheon Club will host Supervisor Moke Simon for his annual “State of the County” report on Wednesday, Feb. 21.
Lunch will be served at noon at the Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St. The program will end by 1 p.m.
For only $5 per person, enjoy pork chili verde, rice and beans, Jell-O, fruit and dessert. All ages are welcome.
Community members also may come to hear the presentation for free.
This popular luncheon always sells out. Reservations for lunch or listening are required and are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
Call the Senior Center at 707-987-3113 to make your reservation at any time of the day or night.
For more information emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Lunch will be served at noon at the Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St. The program will end by 1 p.m.
For only $5 per person, enjoy pork chili verde, rice and beans, Jell-O, fruit and dessert. All ages are welcome.
Community members also may come to hear the presentation for free.
This popular luncheon always sells out. Reservations for lunch or listening are required and are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
Call the Senior Center at 707-987-3113 to make your reservation at any time of the day or night.
For more information email
- Details
- Written by: Middletown Luncheon Club