Kelly, Klobuchar, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Provide AI Guidelines for Election Offices

Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Susan Collins (R-ME) reintroduced the bipartisan Preparing Election Administrators for AI Act to require the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to develop voluntary guidelines for election offices. These guidelines will address the use and risks of artificial intelligence (AI) in election administration, cybersecurity, information sharing about elections, and the spread of election-related disinformation. 

In 2024, this bill advanced out of the Rules Committee with a unanimous vote.   

“Free and fair elections are central to our democracy. While AI can be a helpful tool, it creates new risks that election administrators must be ready for,” said Kelly. “This bipartisan bill will ensure that our election officials have the tools they need to safeguard our elections while using new technologies effectively and responsibly.”   

“We know that AI is being used to spread disinformation about voting. To safeguard our free and fair elections and support hardworking election officials, comprehensive guidelines are needed to address AI’s impact on election administration,” said Klobuchar. “This bipartisan legislation will prepare state and local officials to address the risks that AI poses to our elections.”  

“In an era when artificial intelligence technology is rapidly advancing, election administrators would benefit from comprehensive guidance in order to effectively counter potential threats to our election processes,” said Collins. “By requiring the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission to develop voluntary guidelines for state and local election officials nationwide on the use and risks of AI, this bipartisan legislation will help our elections officials to better prepare for and more quickly address such risks.” 

Read the bill text here.