A bipartisan pair of House lawmakers is escalating pressure on federal agencies to confront the threat artificial intelligence could pose to the 2026 midterm elections, specifically through chatbots that may spread misinformation to voters. Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) sent a letter Tuesday to the heads of the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice, as well as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, urging coordinated action.
The letter focuses on the risk that AI-powered chatbots could deliver inaccurate or misleading responses about voting procedures, polling locations, or candidate details, potentially disenfranchising voters. The lawmakers are calling for clear guidelines to ensure AI systems used in voter engagement comply with election integrity standards, and for agencies to share threat intelligence proactively ahead of the midterms.
The initiative reflects a rare moment of bipartisanship on technology regulation, with Gottheimer and Lawler bridging the partisan divide that often stalls AI legislation. While both chambers have held hearings on AI risks, concrete federal action remains limited. The push comes as state election officials have independently begun auditing AI tools, but lack federal coordination.
Public concern over AI in elections has grown steadily. According to a Pew Research Center survey cited in the sources, 62% of Americans now say they are “very concerned” about AI being used to create fake political content, up from 51% in 2024. The lawmakers’ letter underscores the urgency of addressing these fears before the next national vote.
Some critics argue the letter lacks enforcement teeth, as it is merely an advisory request with no binding deadlines or funding attached. They contend that without a formal executive order or legislative mandate, agencies may not prioritize the issue given competing cybersecurity demands.