Contra Costa Election Staff Train for AI Fakes & Poll Disruptions

Contra Costa County election officials and local law enforcement agencies have completed scenario planning and security rehearsals to counter potential Election Day disruptions — ranging from artificial intelligence-generated fake videos aimed at discouraging turnout to swatting calls, menacing drones, and ballot drop-box tampering — according to Makori Ongechi in Richmond Confidential.

Early-September Law Enforcement Drill and Multi-Layered Facility Security

Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Kristin Connelly said her office prepared for scenarios including an AI-generated fake video designed to frighten voters away from polling places on Tuesday, Nov. 3, noting that her staff has faced threats in past cycles.

In early September, county election staff and law enforcement officers conducted a half-day training exercise led by former Michigan elections official Tina Barton. Representatives from more than two-thirds of local law enforcement jurisdictions participated alongside the FBI's election crimes coordinator, rehearsing responses to hoax security threats, swatting (false emergency reports intended to trigger a police response), drones near voting sites, disruptive visitors, and a vehicle crashing into a ballot drop box to ensure ballots are protected while preserving evidence.

Inside the county elections headquarters, Elections Processing Supervisor Travis Ebbert explained that ballot handling areas are protected by pervasive security cameras, a building-wide alarm system, employee card readers restricting room-by-room access, and at least 1 on-site private security guard on election night. County drop boxes are also equipped with fire and anti-tampering safeguards; Connelly noted the county has seen none of those tampering issues this cycle, though in 2024 a chicken wing placed inside a drop box at the Danville Park and Ride attracted wasps that stung a ballot collection worker.

Contra Costa County Voting Hours and Reporting Line

• In-Person Voting: Polls are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
• Ballot Drop Boxes & Mail Ballots: Drop boxes remain open until 8 p.m. on Election Day, and mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3.
• Elections Office Contact: Voters can report any drop-box or polling-site tampering to the Contra Costa County Elections Office at 925-335-7800.