What ChatGPT can teach us about election misinformation

I don’t want to suggest you’ve been living under a rock, but it’s my responsibility to start this article with some basic facts. There’s software on the loose called ChatGPT that can carry on remarkably lifelike dialogues including issuing authoritative-sounding pronouncements on just about any topic. Some of those pronouncements are even correct.

A new national pastime has emerged, namely experiencing the simultaneous awe and shock that come from observing what skilled baloney a computer can produce. Never would we have guessed that it could perform so well. And yet we are equally amazed by its terrible failings.

Having spent a lot of energy this past year writing about how Minnesota elections work, I had to see whether ChatGPT could answer at least one of the simpler questions I addressed. If the only outcome of that experiment were “no,” I wouldn’t trouble you with it. But it turns out to provide a good perspective on how wary you ought to be with regard to other sources of election information, whether they be social media posts, advice from a friend or even articles by someone like me.

Indeed, the one piece of sound advice in the following dialogue is the repeated admonition that “It is always advisable to check with your local authorities.” Another version of the dialogue, not shown here, instead repeatedly said to “please check the official website of the Minnesota Secretary of State for the most up-to-date information,” and that too is sound advice.

Whether at the city, county, or state level, the professionals who have responsibility for elections in your jurisdiction should be your trusted source of information. Any other source tends to fall into two traps, both of which are amply illustrated by this ChatGPT dialog.

First, it may inadvertently import information that is correct in one state into another where it is incorrect. Almost nothing about the conduct of elections is true across the United States. If you see a social media post with helpful information, but it doesn’t mention a specific state, just scroll on by.

Second, a source may sound authoritative in tone but not in fact have authoritative information. ChatGPT is really good at that, but some of us humans have mastered that tone as well. Being a careful consumer of election information is harder than it looks. For example, what if a source sends misleading signals regarding its own reliability? From that perspective, ChatGPT’s repeated admonitions that you ought to check government sources might just lull you into complacence. Surely, you might think, any source that shows such obvious concern for accurate information wouldn’t be spouting just anything at you, would it? Without further ado, judge for yourself.

Me: I’ve moved within Minnesota and not updated my registration. Can I still vote?

ChatGPT: If you’ve moved within Minnesota and haven’t updated your registration, you may still be able to vote, but it depends on the specific circumstances. If you’re still living within the same precinct and your voter registration information is still accurate, you should be able to vote at your polling place on Election Day. However, if you’ve moved to a different precinct or your registration information is no longer accurate, you will need to update your registration or re-register to vote. You can update your voter registration information or re-register to vote online, by mail, or in person at your county auditor’s office. It is always advisable to check with your local authorities and make sure you are registered to vote and your information is up to date before the election.

Me: So I need to update my registration or re-register in advance of Election Day?

ChatGPT: Yes, you should update your voter registration or re-register in advance of Election Day to ensure that your voting information is accurate and you will be able to vote at your polling place on Election Day. In Minnesota, the deadline to register to vote or update your voter registration information is 21 days before the election. However, it is always best to check with your local authorities to find out the specific deadlines and procedures for updating your voter registration or re-registering to vote in your area.

If you miss the deadline for registering or updating your voter registration, you may still be able to vote by casting a provisional ballot on Election Day. A provisional ballot is a special type of ballot that will be counted only if it is determined that you were eligible to vote at the time of the election.

Me: I thought Minnesota didn’t have provisional ballots.

ChatGPT: I apologize for the confusion, you are correct that Minnesota does not have provisional ballots. Instead, Minnesota has “Challenged Ballot” process. If you miss the deadline for registering or updating your voter registration, you may still be able to vote by casting a challenged ballot on Election Day. A challenged ballot is a regular ballot that is set aside, because the voter’s eligibility is challenged by an election judge or other official at the polling place. If a challenged voter is determined to be eligible to vote, their ballot will be counted on Election Day, otherwise their ballot will be separated and not counted until their eligibility has been verified by the county auditor. It is important to check with your local authorities to find out the specific deadlines and procedures for updating your voter registration or re-registering to vote in your area.

Me: Are you sure that’s right for Minnesota? I don’t think ballots are set aside for verification.

ChatGPT: I apologize for any confusion, I made a mistake in my previous response. Minnesota does not have a provisional or challenged ballot process, and all voter’s ballots are counted on Election Day regardless of their voter registration status. If you miss the deadline for registering or updating your voter registration, you may still be able to vote by going to your polling place on Election Day, providing identification and proof of residence, and filling out an Election Day registration form. The form will be processed and your vote will be counted. It is always best to check with your local authorities to find out the specific deadlines and procedures for updating your voter registration or re-registering to vote in your area.

Me: OK, but what if I’m not voting on Election Day?

ChatGPT: If you are not voting on Election Day, Minnesota offers early voting and absentee voting options. To vote early, you can vote in-person at your county auditor’s office or other designated early voting locations before Election Day. To vote by mail (absentee voting), you can request a mail-in ballot from your county auditor. Minnesota allows any voter to vote by mail, no excuse needed.

It is important to note that you must be registered to vote before you can cast an early or absentee ballot. If you miss the deadline to register to vote or update your voter registration information, your early or absentee ballot will not be counted. So it is always best to check with your local authorities to find out the specific deadlines and procedures for updating your voter registration, requesting an early or absentee ballot, and returning the ballot in your area.

Me: Are you sure I need to be registered in advance to cast an early or absentee ballot?

ChatGPT: I apologize for any confusion, you do not need to be registered in advance to cast an early or absentee ballot in Minnesota. Minnesota allows for same-day registration for early voting and for voting by mail (absentee voting).

For early voting, you can go to your county auditor’s office or other designated early voting locations before Election Day, provide identification and proof of residence, and fill out an Election Day registration form. Your vote will be counted after the officials process and confirm your eligibility.

For voting by mail, you can request a mail-in ballot from your county auditor, and as long as you are eligible to vote, you will receive the ballot. Once you received it, you will need to fill it out and return it to the county auditor’s office before the deadline. Your vote will be counted after officials process and confirm your eligibility.

It is always best to check with your local authorities to find out the specific deadlines and procedures for requesting an early or absentee ballot and returning it in your area.