New Hampshire
The League of Women Voters is suing those involved in robocalls sent to New Hampshire voters
CONCORD, N.H. — The League of Women Voters filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to prevent those who sent robocalls mimicking President Joe Biden’ s voice to New Hampshire voters from using artificial intelligence for future deceptions.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in New Hampshire against Steve Kramer, the political consultant behind the call, and two Texas companies authorities believe were involved in transmitting it: Lingo Telecom and Life Corporation. Citing violations of both state law and federal law, it asks a judge to impose fines and bar the defendants from producing and distributing AI-generated robocalls without permission from those being impersonated.
At issue is a message sent to thousands of New Hampshire voters on Jan. 21 featured a voice similar to Biden’s falsely suggesting that voting in the state’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary two days later would preclude them from casting ballots in November. Kramer, who paid a magician and self-described “digital nomad” who does technology consulting $150 to create the recording, has said he orchestrated the call to publicize the potential dangers of artificial intelligence and spur action from lawmakers.
Attorneys representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit said Thursday they will challenge that “self-serving” explanation.
“Regardless of the motivation, the intent here was to suppress the vote and to threaten and coerce voters into not voting out of fear that they might lose their right to vote. That’s why we’re bringing this case,” said Mark Herring, a former attorney general in Virginia.
A spokesperson for Kramer declined to comment on the lawsuit, saying his attorneys had not yet received it. Lingo Telecom and Life Corporation did not immediately respond to messages requesting comment.
Sophisticated generative AI tools, such as voice-cloning software and image generators, already are in use in elections in the U.S. and around the world, leading to concerns about the rapid spread of misinformation.
Paul Carpenter poses for a photo during an interview in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. Carpenter says he was hired in January to use AI software to imitate President Joe Biden’s voice to convince New Hampshire Democrat voters not to vote in the state’s presidential primary. Credit: AP/Matthew Hinton
Bipartisan efforts in Congress have sought to regulate AI in political campaigns, but no federal legislation has passed.
Since the New Hampshire robocalls, however, the FCC has outlawed robocalls that contain voices generated by artificial intelligence, and major tech companies have signed a pact to adopt precautions voluntarily to prevent AI tools from being used to disrupt elections.
The potential for such disruption means the League of Women Voters and other civic organizations to change course, said Courtney Hostetler of Free Speech for People, which is serving as co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs.
“The League of Women Voters is now shifting their scant resources to deal with this new threat, and it comes at the cost of all the other people they would otherwise be encouraging to vote, educating, helping them register, helping them learn their rights,” she said.
Celina Stewart, chief counsel at the League of Women Voters, was in New Hampshire for the primary and said the calls created unnecessary chaos.
“Should the league or should election workers who already work often 12- to 16-hour shifts to implement the election have the burden of overcoming the obstacle of a robo call?” she said. “The answer to that has to be a hard no.”
Have you ever wanted to meet the people who work every day to help keep your community safe? Now you and your family have the perfect opportunity!
One of my favorite things about living in New Hampshire is how the community genuinely makes the effort to know one another. Whether its neighbors lending a helping hand, local businesses supporting fundraisers, or first responders showing up for community events, there’s a real sense that we’re all in this together.
Events like Coffee with a Cop are a perfect example of that Granite State spirit!
Coffee with a Cop gives residents the chance to sit down with the dedicated men and women of the Bedford Police Department in a casual setting. Just real conversations over coffee and pastries.
This is a wonderful opportunity for children to meet police officers outside of an emergency situation. Instead of only seeing officers during stressful moments or traffic stops, they get to laugh, ask questions, and learn about the people behind the badge.
As a newer mom, I don’t take for granted the people who work every day to protect the community my child is growing up in.
If you’re looking for a simple way to connect with your neighbors while supporting your local law enforcement, stop by Simply Delicious Bakery on Wednesday, July 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Grab a cold drink, enjoy a pastry, and spend a few minutes getting to know the people who work tirelessly to help keep Bedford a safe place to call home.
READ MORE: The Next Great Filmmaker Could Be Premiering Their Work Right Here In New Hampshire
I love highlighting stories like this because they remind us what makes New Hampshire special. It’s not just the beautiful scenery, it’s the people who continue to show up for one another.
These Are 15 of the Best Coffee Shops in New Hampshire
Gallery Credit: Megan Murphy
35 Community Meals for New Hampshire and Maine
Thank you to Lynne DeMelio-Rafferty for creating this.
New Hampshire
This NH Short Film Festival Returns in July, and Every Film Clocks in at 15 Minutes or Less
Independent filmmaking isn’t just alive; it’s helping shape the future of storytelling.
As technology continues to level the playing field, passionate creators have more opportunities than ever to tell meaningful stories outside the traditional Hollywood system. That’s exactly why events like the Creative Guts Short Film Festival deserve our support.
“The spirit of this festival is to celebrate the creativity, voice, and collaboration of filmmakers.” Now in its third year, The Creative Guts Short Film Festival gives a platform for filmmakers from all genres and different levels of experience to showcase their 15-minute pieces. The films selected this year were based upon a jury panel and even have a chance at the opportunity to screen at Red River Theatres on a limited run after the festival.
How cool is that!?
Awards in different categories will also be given to chosen filmmakers at the end of the event.
The evolution of cinema:
According to one of the UK’s biggest film festivals (Raindance), “The old model of filmmaking was built around gatekeepers.”
“Studios controlled production. Distributors controlled access. Television networks controlled visibility. Film festivals controlled discovery. Audiences arrived at the end of the pipeline. That structure shaped the kind of stories that could exist.”
Today, that model is rapidly changing. Raindance explains, “That pipeline is collapsing in real time. A filmmaker with a phone, editing software, and a direct audience relationship can now build attention faster than institutions that once controlled the entire ecosystem. That changes everything.”
As someone who has spent years in the filmmaking world, I know firsthand that audiences don’t always see the countless late nights, rewrites, equipment hiccups, and endless problem-solving that happen long before a film ever reaches the screen.
Every finished project represents months (or even years) of hard work, creativity, and determination.
A reason to support:
That’s one of the reasons I love short film festivals. Instead of committing to one feature-length movie, you get to experience a wide range of storytelling styles, genres, and perspectives all in one afternoon.
The best films don’t just entertain you, they linger long after the credits. They spark conversations on the drive home, challenge the way you see the world, or introduce you to a filmmaker whose work you’ll be eager to follow.
If you’re looking to experience something different while supporting New Hampshire’s creative community, this festival is a great place to start. You may discover your next favorite filmmaker before everyone else does!
2026 Creative Guts Short Film Festival
READ MORE: This Small New England Bakery Is Winning Hearts With Biscuit Flights
Date: Thursday, July 30, 2026
Time: 6:00PM
Location: Red River Theatres, Concord, NH
Early bird price: $15 (June 15th to June 30th)
Regular price: $20 (July 1st to July 30th)
These 11 Drive-In Theaters in NH, ME, and MA Are Still Operational
Gallery Credit: Meg
Movies Set in New Hampshire
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by the Justice Department aimed at compelling New Hampshire to turn over its voter rolls, dealing the Trump administration another setback in its quest for detailed information about the nation’s voters.
The ruling from U.S. District Judge Joseph LaPlante found that the request to provide the state’s voter registration list did not comply with a section of the Civil Rights Act of 1960 pertaining to federal election records. His ruling, issued Monday, also found that the Justice Department failed to allege any violation under the Help America Vote Act of 2002, which established standards for states’ voting systems and voter registration lists.
That prevents “allowing the Attorney General unrestricted access to New Hampshire’s (voter list) to conduct a line-by-line audit to assess a ‘possible’ violation of a federal statute,” wrote LaPlante, an appointee of former President George W. Bush.
New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan, a Republican, welcomed the ruling.
“I am committed to protecting the private information of New Hampshire voters to the fullest extent required by law,” he said in a statement.
The dismissal in New Hampshire brings to 10 the number of states where the Justice Department has lost similar cases. The department has sued to force release of detailed state voter data — which includes dates of birth, addresses, driver’s license numbers and partial Social Security numbers — in 30 states and the District of Columbia.
In addition to New Hampshire, judges have rejected those attempts in Arizona, California, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Oregon, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. In Georgia, a judge dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit because it had been filed in the wrong city, prompting the government to refile elsewhere.
In explaining their push for the records, federal officials have said they need the voter data to ensure that states are complying with federal election laws related to maintaining voter registration lists, even though states already have detailed processes to do that. In the case out of Rhode Island, a Justice Department attorney acknowledged that the department was seeking unredacted voter roll information so it could be shared with the Department of Homeland Security to check citizenship status.
Democratic and some Republican officials have objected to the Justice Department requests for detailed voter data and said such a demand violates state and federal privacy laws.
At least 13 states have either provided or promised to provide their voter registration lists to the department, according to the Brennan Center for Justice and Associated Press reporting: Alaska, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming.
-
Massachusetts5 minutes agoMass. Legislature reaches compromise on $63.4B state budget. Here’s what’s in it
-
Minnesota12 minutes agoMinnesota Wild Signs Goaltender Calvin Pickard to a One-Year Contract | Minnesota Wild
-
Mississippi15 minutes ago
New autopsy of a baby killed by police in Mississippi deepens outrage
-
Missouri20 minutes agoIn Missouri, Software ‘Bug’ Leads to Tax Deadline Extension
-
Montana27 minutes agoUniversity of Montana welcomes Jeremiah Shinn as 20th president
-
Nebraska30 minutes agoTwo high schools will represent Nebraska in the National Independence Day Parade
-
Nevada35 minutes agoTesla Semi involved in first fatal crash, killing 2 in Nevada
-
New Hampshire42 minutes agoHave You Ever Actually Talked to a New Hampshire Police Officer? Here’s Your Chance
