AI Tools and the 2026 Midterms: A New Era of Decision-Making

Being an informed citizen requires effort. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools offer a tempting shortcut, though they come with risks.

AI in Election Decision-Making

Jeremiah Hain, a Los Angeles psychotherapist, frequently uses ChatGPT for small tasks. Recently, he applied it to aid his decisions in choosing candidates for mayoral and other office races.

The Role of Claude

Mia Taylor faced a familiar mix of duty and uncertainty when she viewed her Los Angeles County election ballot. With numerous local contests at stake, she turned to Claude, an AI tool by Anthropic, for assistance. Claude initially refused to suggest political choices to avoid bias. However, upon refining her request, Ms. Taylor, a liberal Democrat, asked Claude for connections to reputable progressive groups and strategic voting options. Claude responded with voter guides and detailed race descriptions.

Mayoral Race Dilemma

In deciding her mayoral vote, Ms. Taylor worried about Republican Spencer Pratt’s strong position in the primaries. Claude advised her to support Karen Bass, the incumbent, over Nithya Raman from the City Council. The primary concluded with Spencer Pratt losing, while Bass and Raman progressed to the general election.

This interaction highlights how AI is emerging as a significant tool for voters. The 2026 midterms might be the first election with widespread AI usage among American voters, marking a shift in decision-making processes.