New York Attorney General Letitia James has issued a consumer alert advising voters against using AI chatbots for election-related inquiries. Her office's tests revealed that these chatbots often provide inaccurate voting information, which could mislead voters about when and where to vote.
Attorney General James emphasized the importance of obtaining reliable voting information. "All voters deserve accurate information about where, when, and how to vote," she stated. The testing by her office showed many chatbots delivering false or misleading details, potentially impacting New Yorkers' ability to vote.
The guide released earlier this year by Attorney General James, titled "Protecting New York Voters from AI-Generated Election Misinformation," advises against using AI-powered chatbots for election queries due to their tendency to give incorrect answers. During recent tests, some chatbots gave wrong deadlines for voter registration, risking disenfranchisement if voters followed the faulty advice.
Additionally, errors were found in responses regarding polling locations. In one example concerning early voting in Kings County, a chatbot incorrectly stated that voting was possible at any designated site within the county. This advice contradicts rules specific to New York City residents who must vote at assigned sites based on residence.
For accurate voting information, the public is urged to consult official sources such as the Office of the Attorney General’s website, the New York State Board of Elections, or local election boards. A county board roster tool can assist in locating local election boards. The State Board of Elections’ voter lookup tool provides essential poll site details and registration information.
Voters encountering issues are encouraged to contact OAG’s Election Protection Hotline at (866) 390-2992 or submit an online complaint for assistance. The hotline operates during specific hours throughout early voting and around Election Day with support provided by OAG attorneys and staff.