AI deepfakes and election disinformation
Common Cause Maryland identifies deepfakes and AI-generated content as a serious threat that can super-charge election disinformation and impersonate officials. The group backs 2026 session efforts to regulate and require disclosure of election-related deepfake or AI materials distributed to the public.
Should Maryland regulate AI-generated deepfakes in elections?
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Sources
Common Cause Maryland — https://www.commoncause.org/maryland/articles/mdga26
deepfakes, and other emerging technologies pose a serious threat to our democracy as they super-charge election disinformation and other anti-voter tactics. In a few clicks, bad actors can create deceptive content about candidates or impersonate election officials, spreading those lies like wildfire. During this session, we will continue to support efforts to regulate and require disclosure of election-related deepfake or AI-generated materials being distributed to the public
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Ban undisclosed election deepfakes and impose strong penalties plus rapid takedown rules
- Require clear disclosure of AI/deepfake election content and fund enforcement
- Encourage voluntary disclosure and platform labeling with limited new state mandates
- Avoid new speech regulations; rely mainly on existing fraud laws and counterspeech
- Oppose disclosure mandates as government overreach into political speech