Golden State Today

May 1, 2024

SACRAMENTO — Yesterday, four bills aimed at addressing AI threats to elections successfully passed their initial legislative hurdles in the California state legislature. Despite facing significant opposition from the tech industry, the bills, sponsored by the California Initiative for Technology and Democracy (CITED), advanced with bipartisan support.

Jonathan Mehta Stein, Executive Director of California Common Cause, emphasized the importance of these bills, stating, “These bills represent the most nuanced and most aggressive attempt in the United States to protect our democracy from digital threats.”

A recent poll conducted by Berkeley IGS in November 2023 revealed that there is substantial public concern regarding digital threats to elections, with 84% of California voters expressing worry and 73% believing that the state government should take action to address these issues. This support transcends various demographics and political affiliations.

The legislative package, introduced in March, aims to regulate the dangers of disinformation amplified by AI and social media. The bills will now proceed to the Appropriations Committees of both houses before reaching the respective house floors for further consideration.

CITED, a coalition established in 2023 by California Common Cause, comprises experts from diverse fields such as campaigns, cybersecurity, government, policy, law, and technology. The group is dedicated to providing independent and nonpartisan policy leadership on emerging digital threats to democracy.

With a focus on safeguarding voters and election integrity, CITED has already made a significant impact in California, garnering attention from prominent media outlets and advocating for necessary reforms to protect the democratic process.

The successful advancement of the bills in the California legislature could serve as a model for other states and national initiatives in Congress, offering a blueprint to combat digital threats to elections on a broader scale.

For more information about CITED and their efforts to protect election integrity, visit their website.

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