The state of our election.
As we’ve been knocking doors and talking to voters in East Cobb, Roswell, and Woodstock, folks have been asking about rumors they’ve heard about our state voter portal and the State Election Board.
So, let’s take a look at what’s going on ahead of the November election…
The flaws in our voter portal.
As a UX designer, the only way I could make the voter site beautiful was to zoom out and put it in a beautiful PSD mockup. Mockup by MinimalMockups.
With just 85 days until the election, it’s unnerving that two serious vulnerabilities were recently exposed in Georgia’s voter registration system.
First, a new interface made it alarmingly easy to cancel someone else's voter registration without their knowledge or consent. By providing a voter’s name and date of birth—publicly-available information—anyone could submit a cancellation request without the system verifying the identity of the requester. This flaw could be exploited to disenfranchise voters without their knowledge, undermining the election process.
Second, the system exposed critical personal information for more than 7 million voters, including addresses and partial Social Security numbers, leaving voters at risk of identity theft. Furthermore, this data was mistakenly sent to political parties and journalists. This issue has apparently existed for years, only recently being addressed by the Secretary of State’s office.
The state claims to have fixed both issues, but the ease with which voter registrations could be canceled and the prolonged exposure of sensitive information raise significant concerns about the state's ability to secure voter data.
The cancellation system, in particular, represents another unnecessary self-inflicted injury to our voting system. It was implemented to satisfy unfounded concerns about widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election. The real rate of voter fraud in the US is extremely low. Numerous analyses have consistently found that voter fraud—including impersonation at the polls and ballot tampering—occurs at rates of less than 0.01% and a comprehensive analysis by the Washington Post found only 475 cases of voter fraud out of more than 100 million ballots cast in the 2020 election.
Confirm the status of your voter registration at: https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/
The flaws in our state election board.
State Election Board member Janice Johnston holds up a sign encouraging only US citizens to vote during a State Election Board meeting at the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta. The board voted 3-1 to email the sign to all 159 counties, encouraging election officials to post the sign at polling locations and election offices. Voting rights groups say they’re concerned the sign could discourage immigrants who have become citizens from registering to vote in a state that already has stringent voting laws. Photo by AJC.
Exactly how Georgia's elections will be executed, this November, is up in the air after the introduction of an ambiguous rule and controversial signage requirements.
First, the State Election Board finalized a rule requiring county election officials to conduct a “reasonable inquiry” before certifying election results—thought the board never actually definined what “reasonable inquiry” means. This vague rule allows the state and county boards significant discretion to review and potentially delay the certification process for close or contested races. Critics argue that this ambiguity could lead to increased uncertainty and legal disputes, complicating the election process and potentially undermining public confidence in the results.
Additionally, the State Election Board is now requiring a poster to be displayed at polling places that states only U.S. citizens can vote. This measure is intended to affirm voting eligibility but has sparked debate over its necessity and potential impact on voter perception. Some argue that the poster could be seen as a way to unnecessarily scrutinize or intimidate voters, rather than providing meaningful security.
In both cases, these are more unnecessary and costly efforts to correct a system unbroken. US elections in general—and Georgia elections specifically—are statistically secure and absent systemic fraud. Likewise, voters already need to prove their citizenship to register to vote and to confirm their identity to cast a ballot.
Confirm the status of your voter registration at: https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/
Iranian AI comes to Georgia.
Photo by Sina Drakhshani on Unsplash.
A recent report by Microsoft reveals that Iran is using artificial intelligence (AI) to target Georgia as part of a broader effort to interfere in US elections by spreading misinformation and disinformation.
Iranian operatives have employed AI to create sophisticated, fake online content, including misleading images and videos to manipulate public opinion and sow discord ahead of the upcoming presidential election. This AI-generated content is designed to look like legitimate local news sources, making it more difficult for voters to identify as false.
The use of AI in disinformation campaigns marks a significant escalation in the tactics used by foreign actors to influence our elections. AI allows for the rapid creation and dissemination of highly convincing fake content. Microsoft's findings highlight the growing threat of AI-driven misinformation and the urgent need for advanced detection tools, public education, and stronger collaboration between technology companies and governments to combat this emerging challenge.
As AI technology continues to evolve, the risk of its misuse in spreading disinformation will likely increase, making it a critical area of focus for ensuring the integrity of future elections.
Here in Georgia, our Senate Artificial Intelligence Study Committee has been ineffectually led by our opponent, John Albers. He failed to advance poorly worded legislation regarding deep-fake AI videos in the most recent session and owns an AI business license in a clear conflict of interest. No legislation has been passed to protect voters from foreign-led disinformation campaigns.
JD JORDAN FOR GEORGIA STATE SENATE DISTRICT 56
For anyone in East Cobb, Roswell, or Woodstock alarmed by the state’s escalating attacks on our bodies, our families, our doctors’ offices, our classrooms and libraries, even our polling places, I’m running for State Senate district 56 to fight for our freedoms and to deliver a better future for everyone in Georgia.
And unlike my opponent who’s spent 14 years rolling back our freedoms, failing to safeguard our kids, and gerrymandered his district to stay in office, I promise to bring everyone in the 56—regardless of ideology—the best possible constituent experience so you feel heard, valued, and supported. As we all deserve to be.
I’m running for the 56. Let’s make a better Georgia for all of us.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT
Jordan For Georgia, LLC
10800 Alpharetta Hwy Ste 208 #629
Roswell, GA 30076-1467
jdjordan@forthe56.com
706.804.0456
