Texas Republicans seek hand count of ballots over AI election interference fears

A Republican group in Texas has filed a lawsuit requesting a hand count of ballots from every precinct before certifying the state's midterm election results, Al Jazeera reported. The Potter County Republican Party and its chairman claim potential election interference by artificial intelligence or malicious actors could compromise the elections.

The lawsuit alleges that voting machines contain components made in China, which could be tampered with during manufacturing to allow hacking across multiple machines and jurisdictions, according to Al Jazeera. The complaint does not specify any confirmed compromises but raises concerns about AI-enabled undetected hacks.

The legal challenge comes days before the midterm elections, with polls showing a close US Senate race in Texas between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton, noted Al Jazeera. The plaintiffs argue that existing safeguards are insufficient against the new AI threats.

Neither the Talarico and Paxton campaigns nor the Potter County Republican Party responded to requests for comment, Al Jazeera said. The lawsuit acknowledges no previous election in the county was altered but emphasizes the need for full verification due to AI risks.