Letitia “Tish” James is the 67th Attorney General of New York. She fights for the rights and freedoms of all New Yorkers1. As the top law enforcement officer, she works to protect voting rights, fight misinformation, and uphold the law.
As Public Advocate, Ms. James handled over 32,000 complaints and passed more laws than all previous Public Advocates1. She passed a law banning salary history questions in job interviews, helping with pay equity1. She also led the divestment of New York City’s pension fund from gun and ammunition retailers1. Plus, she uncovered corruption in a CityTime contract, saving the city over $600 million1.
Now, as Attorney General, James continues to fight for New Yorkers. She defended the New York Early Mail Voter Act, making voting easier2. She also helped ensure fair representation in local elections2. She even released guidance to help spot and report AI-generated election misinformation3.
Key Takeaways
- Letitia “Tish” James is the 67th Attorney General for the State of New York, with a strong track record of protecting the rights of all New Yorkers.
- As Public Advocate, Ms. James handled over 32,000 constituent complaints and passed more legislation than all previous Public Advocates combined.
- Attorney General James has defended the constitutionality of the New York Early Mail Voter Act and intervened in local redistricting cases to ensure fair representation.
- The Attorney General’s office has released guidance to help New Yorkers identify and report AI-generated election misinformation.
- Through her actions, Attorney General James has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to safeguarding the democratic process and the individual rights of all New Yorkers.
Combating AI-Generated Election Misinformation
New York Attorney General Letitia James is fighting against AI-generated misinformation and “deepfakes” in elections4. She has released a guide to help New Yorkers spot and report fake content. This is to keep the electoral process trustworthy.
Identifying and Reporting Deepfakes
The guide warns about deepfakes, which are fake videos, images, and audio4. These can spread false information about candidates and voting. It tells voters to be cautious of unnatural or emotional content and not to share it if it looks fake4.
If you find any suspected deepfakes, contact the Election Protection Hotline4.
Verifying Information from Official Sources
The guide also warns against using AI chatbots for election info4. It says to be wary of content that seems too good or surprising. Instead, check official sites and social media of the New York State and New York City Boards of Elections4.
The Attorney General is teaching New Yorkers how to spot AI-generated misinformation4. In January, a fake audio recording spread, and in April, a Meta AI chatbot made false claims about lawmakers4. The goal is to help New Yorkers make smart choices at the polls.
“New Yorkers must be vigilant and approach any election-related information with a critical eye, specially when it seems too good, too bad, or too bizarre to be true. Our office is committed to arming voters with the tools they need to identify and report any attempts to manipulate the electoral process.”
– Attorney General Letitia James
Defending Voting Rights Reforms
Attorney General Letitia James fights hard for voting rights in New York and nationwide. She won a big victory by defending the New York Early Mail Voter Act. This law lets all eligible New Yorkers get mail-in ballots for any election they can vote in5.
New York Early Mail Voter Act
In 2023, the New York Early Mail Voter Act was passed. It lets all registered voters vote by mail in any election they can vote in5. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) fought against a lawsuit trying to stop this law. The court rejected the lawsuit, keeping the law in place5.
The lawsuit wanted to limit who could get mail-in ballots. If it had won, many voters would have lost their right to vote by mail5.
Protecting Access to the Polls
Attorney General James works to make voting easier and fairer in New York6. Before the 2020 primary, she pushed for automatic absentee voting to help during the pandemic5. She also sends alerts to remind New Yorkers of their voting rights and offers help through the OAG’s Election Protection Hotline5.
In August 2021, she joined 22 other attorneys general to fight against Georgia’s unfair voting law6. She also won a settlement of up to $1.25 million from people who scared Black voters with robocalls57.
“Protecting the right to vote is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of our office. We will continue to stand up for the rights of all New Yorkers and ensure they have equal access to the ballot box.”
– Attorney General Letitia James
ny attorney general Intervening in Local Redistricting Cases
New York Attorney General Letitia James is fighting hard to keep the New York Voting Rights Act (NYVRA) safe from gerrymandering. She wants to make sure redistricting is fair and voters are well-represented across the state8.
Redistricting often leads to political battles between Democrats and Republicans. In New York, the latest redistricting was the first under new rules. This led to court actions because of process violations8.
In 2022, a court was asked to throw out the state assembly map because of constitutional issues. The goal was to get a new map for fair elections8. But, the Appellate Division said the delay request was too late8.
Despite this, the Appellate Division declared the February 2022 assembly map invalid. They sent it back for a new map by the 2024 general election8. The court asked for new materials and considered adding the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission as respondents8.
Attorney General James’ actions show her strong dedication to protecting New Yorkers’ voting rights. She wants to make sure their voices are heard in local elections8.
Ensuring Fair Representation
The New York State Constitution requires an independent commission for drawing district lines. This shows the state’s commitment to fair redistricting8.
Attorney General James’ efforts are key in safeguarding voters’ rights. She fights against gerrymandering and other unfair practices8.
Her actions prove her commitment to the Voting Rights Act. She ensures all New Yorkers have an equal say in local elections8.
“The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy, and we will continue to fight to protect that right for all New Yorkers.”
– Attorney General Letitia James
Proactive Measures to Safeguard Elections
The New York Attorney General’s Office knows how vital it is to protect our elections. We defend voting rights reforms and fight election misinformation. We also take steps to keep the electoral process safe for all New Yorkers.
Election Protection Hotline
We’ve set up an Election Protection Hotline. It’s a key resource for voters, helping with many election-related issues9. Our goal is to help voters and make sure their voices are heard.
Voter Education Initiatives
We’ve also started voter education initiatives. These help New Yorkers understand how to vote. We offer workshops, digital tools, and outreach to communities that face voting barriers10.
We want a well-informed and active electorate. We aim for every eligible voter to vote with confidence and ease11.
Our efforts are part of a bigger plan to protect New York’s elections. We focus on election protection, voter education, and voter assistance. Together, we can make our democracy stronger.
“Protecting the right to vote is a fundamental pillar of our democracy, and we will continue to take every step necessary to ensure that all New Yorkers can exercise this sacred right with confidence and security.”
– Attorney General Letitia James
Conclusion
The New York Attorney General’s office has taken strong steps to protect New Yorkers. We’ve fought against election misinformation and protected voting rights. We’ve also stepped in on local redistricting cases and made sure elections are secure12.
We won a big case against Donald Trump and his team, getting over $450 million in penalties. This shows we’re serious about punishing fraud and illegal actions12. Attorney General Letitia James was reelected by a big margin, showing people trust us to handle tough cases13.
We’ll keep using our skills to tackle big issues, like fighting plastic pollution in our waterways13. We’re ready to keep making progress and protect everyone in New York1213.
FAQ
What is the role of the New York Attorney General Letitia James in protecting the rights and freedoms of New Yorkers?
How is the New York Attorney General addressing the threat of AI-generated misinformation during elections?
What actions has the New York Attorney General taken to defend voting rights reforms in the state?
How has the New York Attorney General intervened in local redistricting cases?
What other proactive measures has the New York Attorney General’s office taken to safeguard the integrity of elections?
Source Links
- Letitia A. James – National Association of Attorneys General – https://www.naag.org/attorney-general/letitia-james/
- NYS Open Legislation | NYSenate.gov – https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EXC/63
- NYS Office of the Attorney General Social Justice Externship – https://www.law.nyu.edu/academics/clinics/nys-oag-social-justice-externship
- State AG warns of AI-driven election misinformation – https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2024/09/state-ag-warns-ai-driven-election-misinformation/399303/
- Attorney General James Protects New Yorkers’ Voting Rights – https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2024/attorney-general-james-protects-new-yorkers-voting-rights
- Attorney General James Leads Multistate Coalition to Defend the Voting Rights Act – https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2024/attorney-general-james-leads-multistate-coalition-defend-voting-rights-act
- State Attorneys General Play Pivotal Role in Protecting Democracy – Leadership Center for Attorney General Studies – https://agstudies.org/publications/state-attorneys-general-play-pivotal-role-in-protecting-democracy/
- Nichols v Hochul – https://law.justia.com/cases/new-york/other-courts/2022/2022-ny-slip-op-22312.html
- PDF – https://www.brennancenter.org/media/8120/download
- PDF – https://lawyerscommittee.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/DeceptivePracticesReportJuly2012FINALpdf.pdf
- PDF – https://www.brennancenter.org/media/11062/download
- Attorney General James Wins Landmark Victory in Case Against Donald Trump – https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2024/attorney-general-james-wins-landmark-victory-case-against-donald-trump
- Letitia James: the New York state attorney general who brought down the Trump Organization – https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/17/who-is-letitia-james-new-york-ag-trump-fraud-trial