New York updates voter guidance on AI election misinformation

New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office updated its voter guide on Oct. 14, warning that AI-generated images, video and audio can mislead voters and that chatbots may provide incorrect or outdated information about polling places, deadlines and voting requirements.

The guide advises voters to confirm voting times, locations, methods and eligibility with the state or local election boards, and to check suspicious claims before sharing them. It recommends reporting suspicious social-media content to the platform and false voting information or suspected manipulated election media to the Attorney General’s Office. The office’s complaint form directs users to select “Other” and enter “Election Misinformation.”

The updated guidance revises advice first issued in 2024. The office says signs such as unnatural movement or unusual lighting, shadows or sound may no longer reliably reveal convincing AI fakes.

Existing New York Election Law § 14-106(5) requires disclosure for a political communication produced by or including statutorily defined materially deceptive media when its distributor or publisher has actual knowledge that the media is materially deceptive. Exceptions include satire or parody; qualifying news reports that acknowledge questions about authenticity; broadcasters and streaming services that meet disclaimer conditions; and initial platform dissemination of media provided by another information content provider. The guide announces no new legal requirement or enforcement action.

The office says its Election Protection Hotline, (866) 390-2992, is scheduled to begin operating Oct. 24. Early voting is scheduled for Oct. 24 through Nov. 1, 2026, and Election Day is Nov. 3.