AI Transparency in Elections Act of 2026

Key Points

• Political ads that support or oppose a candidate must carry a clear disclaimer if they contain images, audio, or video substantially created or altered by AI, covering TV, radio, print, mailings, phone banks, and online ads.
• Video ads need the written disclosure on screen the whole time plus a spoken version, while audio-only ads need a spoken disclaimer lasting at least 4 seconds naming who paid for the ad.
• Minor edits like cropping, color adjustments, or resizing do not trigger the disclosure requirement as long as they don't create a fundamentally different impression than the original media.
• A communication that mimics a candidate's voice or appearance through AI counts as referring to that candidate, pulling many AI-generated attack or endorsement ads into the disclosure rule.
• The FEC can fine violators up to $50,000 per ad, and failing to respond to a complaint counts as admitting the allegations are true, a stronger enforcement tool than typical disclosure violations.
• The rule takes effect for any ad made after the bill becomes law, even before the FEC finishes writing its detailed regulations within 90 days.

Impact Analysis

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