NJ to Combat Deepfake Misinformation Ahead of Presidential Election

Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin warn residents about the dangers of AI-generated deepfakes and offer tips to ensure election integrity.

NEW JERSEY - With the presidential election approaching, Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, in her capacity as Secretary of State, and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin have issued guidance to help New Jersey residents identify and avoid deepfakes—manipulated photos, videos, and audio generated by artificial intelligence technologies to spread misinformation. The guidance aims to protect voters from being misled by deepfakes that could impact their understanding of candidates, political parties, or even voting rights.

Deepfakes are sophisticated fake media created using generative AI, and they pose a threat by mimicking real events and deceiving the public. These manipulated images, videos, or audio can be used to spread false information on social media, through text messages, emails, or even phone calls. Lt. Governor Way and Attorney General Platkin are focused on raising awareness to help voters recognize and avoid being influenced by such misleading content. Voters are also encouraged to report suspected deepfakes to the state at info@sos.nj.gov.

“Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy and preserving the integrity of that process is paramount,” said Attorney General Platkin. “By raising the public’s awareness of political deepfakes, we are minimizing this potential threat to our electoral process and providing New Jersey voters with critical tools to help them cast their ballot with confidence.”

“As the 2024 Presidential Election approaches, it is more crucial than ever to protect our electoral process from the growing threats of mis-, dis-, and mal-information,” said Lieutenant Governor Way, who serves as New Jersey’s chief election official in her capacity as Secretary of State. “Generative AI has made it easier to produce political deepfakes—whether through manipulated images, videos, or voices—that mislead and deceive voters. This initiative is a vital step in helping voters recognize these tactics and ensuring the integrity of our free and fair elections.”

To preserve New Jersey’s electoral integrity and ensure every eligible voter can participate in a fair and secure democratic process, Lt. Governor Way and AG Platkin have also launched other voter protection initiatives:

1. NJ.gov Voter Information Site: New Jersey’s official voter information portal, maintained by the Division of Elections, provides a comprehensive resource for residents seeking to register and participate in state elections.
2. Voter Protection Initiative: This initiative focuses on identifying and addressing any voting rights or civil rights violations during both early voting and Election Day.
3. Voting Rights Resources Webpage: A dedicated webpage offering a guide for New Jersey residents to answer frequently asked questions regarding voting rights and report issues encountered during the voting process.
4. Trusted Sources Campaign: Led by the Secretary of State’s Office, this campaign educates the public on recognizing and relying on verified sources of election information. The campaign will launch an infographic highlighting trusted sources like the Secretary of State, Division of Elections, and County Election Officials, with additional resources available on NJ.gov.

These efforts aim to safeguard New Jersey’s election process from misinformation and ensure that residents have the information they need to participate confidently and securely.