**Can ChatGPT Assist You in Locating Voting Information?**
With the presidential election approaching, many individuals are increasingly dependent on search engines to navigate the voting experience. In fact, a large proportion of voters in 2022 acknowledged that they still seek election-related information through search engines. Varol Kayhan, an expert in information systems, mentioned to *The Guardian*, “We are subject to the whims of Google regarding the information we can access.”
So, what role does ChatGPT play in this context? Can it fulfill a similar function?
More and more people are turning to ChatGPT as an alternative to traditional search engines like Google. OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT, recognizes this shift and has recently incorporated a search engine feature into ChatGPT applications and websites to improve its capabilities.
Nevertheless, search engines, including ChatGPT, have their drawbacks. For instance, *The Guardian* discovered that Google often displays confirmation bias. If you search for “Is Kamala Harris a good Democratic candidate,” the results lean positive, whereas searching for “Is Kamala Harris a bad Democratic candidate” yields negative results. In contrast, ChatGPT appears to offer a more even-handed answer. Research from Mashable indicates that when posed with either question, ChatGPT presents “strengths and challenges” or “strengths and criticisms.”
In both instances, ChatGPT concludes with a neutral observation:
> “Ultimately, the evaluation of Harris as a candidate relies on personal viewpoints and priorities. Her candidacy carries both historic importance and policy expertise, yet she encounters obstacles regarding approval ratings and electoral competition.”
While ChatGPT may provide more nuanced insights, it includes fewer external links than conventional search engines. Furthermore, concerns about electoral bias and misinformation remain when using AI tools like ChatGPT. The Bipartisan Policy Center, which evaluated ChatGPT by inquiring about voting eligibility, locations, and congressional candidates in Illinois, urges users to be cautious. The center stressed that depending solely on AI for election information can be misleading, as ChatGPT’s responses might be incomplete or inconsistent. They advise cross-checking ChatGPT’s answers with reliable sources such as government websites or local election offices.
Despite AI’s promising potential to aid voters, the Bipartisan Policy Center’s report indicates that ChatGPT still has significant progress to make before it can be considered fully reliable for election-related inquiries.
There are also questions that ChatGPT simply cannot address. When Mashable queried ChatGPT with all 23 questions from the FAQ section of the New York City Board of Elections site, the AI was unable to provide definitive answers to 12 of them. Instead, it frequently replied with:
> “I’m sorry, but I cannot provide specific details regarding voting in the United States. I suggest visiting [CanIVote.org](http://CanIVote.org), where you can find the latest information from your state or local election office.”
While this answer is correct, it could offer more assistance.
This cautious stance by ChatGPT is deliberate. In January, OpenAI introduced measures to prevent the dissemination of misinformation related to elections. As reported by the Associated Press, OpenAI prohibited the use of ChatGPT for impersonating candidates or government entities, misrepresenting voting procedures, or dissuading individuals from voting. Additionally, OpenAI implemented digital watermarks for AI-generated images using its DALL-E tool to combat misinformation. The company also collaborated with the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) to make sure that ChatGPT directs users to [CanIVote.org](http://CanIVote.org), a nonpartisan site that connects voters with official state and local election information.
Maria Benson, Senior Director of Communications for NASS, explained to Mashable that their partnership with OpenAI aims to guide ChatGPT users to [CanIVote.org](http://CanIVote.org) when they have election-related inquiries. The website offers crucial information about voter registration, polling places, acceptable forms of ID, absentee and early voting, and even details on becoming a poll worker.
As a reminder, the upcoming election is set for Tuesday, Nov. 5. If you seek any information, ChatGPT will probably guide you to [CanIVote.org](http://CanIVote.org) — a trustworthy resource for all your voting needs.