--- title: "AI chatbots gave inaccurate voting answers in 29% of tests" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/ai-chatbots-gave-inaccurate-voting-answers-in-29-of-tests" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/ai-chatbots-gave-inaccurate-voting-answers-in-29-of-tests" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/ai-chatbots-gave-inaccurate-voting-answers-in-29-of-tests.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/ai-chatbots-gave-inaccurate-voting-answers-in-29-of-tests" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-09-05T06:45:40.483Z" source_reported: "2026-09-04T19:11:04.000Z" updated: "2026-09-05T06:45:40.483Z" trust_score: 68 critic_score: 77 hype_score: 15 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-05T08:00:17.182930+00:00" --- # AI chatbots gave inaccurate voting answers in 29% of tests *A study found AI responses to election queries were often unclear or outdated, particularly for Spanish questions.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 68 of 100, higher is better. Trust 68: includes a cited study report and 29% figure, but no named individuals. - Craft 77 of 100, higher is better. Critic 77: explains relevance, provides specific figure, separates fact from comment, clear concise writing. - Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Hype 15: measured language, no sensationalism, headline matches content. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - AI chatbots answered 29% of basic voting questions inaccurately, unclearly, or with outdated information, according to a study. - The study's tests were conducted this year in anticipation of the 2026 midterm elections. - AI chatbot performance on voting questions was lower when the queries were asked in Spanish. - The research was carried out by the Institute for Strategic…. Artificial intelligence chatbots provided inaccurate, unclear, or outdated replies to 29% of basic questions about elections and voting procedures in tests conducted this year. The study, which took place ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, also found that AI chatbot performance was lower for questions asked in Spanish. The research was conducted by the Institute for Strategic…. ## Coverage comparison ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated reports mentioned the study's finding that AI chatbot performance was lower for questions asked in Spanish. ## Who covered it Shares of the 9 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 33% (3) - Centre: 67% (6) - Right: 0% (0) 0 of 9 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-05T08:00:17.182930+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-05T08:15:20.658Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated reports led on the finding that AI chatbots provided inaccurate, unclear, or outdated replies on 29% of basic voting questions. One report noted that this occurred in tests conducted this year ahead of the midterm elections, according to NBC News. The same report also highlighted that AI chatbot performance was lower for questions asked in Spanish. The study was conducted by the Institute for Strategic…. ### Centre - The centre-rated reports focused on the finding that nearly a third of AI chatbot replies to voting questions were inaccurate or outdated. These reports stated that the study determined nearly a third of AI-generated replies could be inaccurate. One centre-rated report mentioned that AI chatbot performance dropped in Spanish. The tests were carried out ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. ### Right No separate framing summary. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - high: 4 - veryHigh: 5 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [ISD](https://isdglobal.org/publication/chatbots-and-the-ballot-box-evaluating-accuracy-sourcing-and-language-gaps-in-ai-answers-to-election-questions) — Chatbots and the Ballot Box: Evaluating Accuracy, Sourcing, and Language Gaps in AI Answers to Election Questions - Institute for Strategic Dialogue - [WFLA-TV](https://wfla.com/news/national/nearly-a-third-of-ai-chatbot-replies-to-voting-questions-inaccurate-outdated-study) — Nearly a third of AI chatbot replies to voting questions inaccurate, outdated: Study - [Kron 4 News](https://kron4.com/news/national/nearly-a-third-of-ai-chatbot-replies-to-voting-questions-inaccurate-outdated-study) — Nearly a third of AI chatbot replies to voting questions inaccurate, outdated: Study - [abc 27](https://abc27.com/national/nearly-a-third-of-ai-chatbot-replies-to-voting-questions-inaccurate-outdated-study) — Nearly a third of AI chatbot replies to voting questions inaccurate, outdated: Study - [Fox 59 Indianapolis](https://fox59.com/news/national-world/nearly-a-third-of-ai-chatbot-replies-to-voting-questions-inaccurate-outdated-study) — Nearly a third of AI chatbot replies to voting questions inaccurate, outdated: Study - [electionlawblog.org](https://electionlawblog.org/2026/ai-chatbots-frequently-flub-voting-questions-ahead-of-midterms-study-finds) — “AI chatbots frequently flub voting questions ahead of midterms, study finds” #ELB - [The Hill](https://thehill.com/policy/technology/6071757-ai-chatbots-election-info-inaccuracy) — Nearly a third of AI chatbot replies to voting questions inaccurate, outdated: Study - [Political Wire](https://politicalwire.com/2026/09/04/ai-chatbots-flub-basic-voting-questions) — AI Chatbots Flub Basic Voting Questions - [NBC News](https://nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/ai-midterm-chatbot-voting-election-chatgpt-meta-google-rcna595735) — AI chatbots frequently flub voting questions ahead of midterms, study finds ## Questions **How many AI chatbot answers about voting were inaccurate?** A study found that AI chatbots provided inaccurate, unclear, or outdated replies to 29% of basic questions about elections and voting procedures. These tests were conducted this year ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. **Did AI chatbots perform differently based on language?** Yes, the study reported that AI chatbot performance was lower for questions asked in Spanish. This indicates a potential disparity in accuracy and clarity for non-English queries regarding voting information. **Who conducted the study on AI chatbots and voting questions?** The study was conducted by the Institute for Strategic…. The findings were based on tests performed this year to assess AI chatbot accuracy on election and voting procedures ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/ai-chatbots-gave-inaccurate-voting-answers-in-29-of-tests. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "AI chatbots gave inaccurate voting answers in 29% of tests", https://mediabias.news/politics/ai-chatbots-gave-inaccurate-voting-answers-in-29-of-tests