The New Hampshire Democratic primary has been jolted by a robocall incident, allegedly mimicking President Joe Biden's voice, urging voters not to participate in the upcoming primary. Kathy Sullivan, a prominent New Hampshire Democrat and former state party chair, has expressed her intent to file a legal complaint, denouncing the call as an "attack on democracy."
The call, described as echoing Biden's familiar tone and phrasing, advised listeners to "save your vote for the November election," implying that participating in the primary would inadvertently aid Republicans. The message, which concluded with Sullivan's phone number, has been widely condemned for its potential to mislead voters and manipulate democratic processes.
Sullivan, also at the helm of the super PAC "Granite for America," advocating a write-in campaign for Biden, expressed her determination to uncover the parties responsible for the robocall. "I want them to be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible because this is an attack on democracy," Sullivan stated via NBC News, citing possible legal violations.
This development comes amid a restructured Democratic primary calendar, with Biden's name absent from the New Hampshire ballot. Sullivan's super PAC, however, has been actively encouraging Democrats to support Biden through a write-in campaign.
Dean Phillips, a Minnesota congressman and Democratic presidential contender, voiced concern over the incident, stating, "Any effort to discourage voters is disgraceful and an unacceptable affront to democracy." The potential use of artificial intelligence to create such misleading messages adds another layer of complexity and concern to the situation.
In response to the controversy, the Biden campaign has not issued a comment, and a spokesperson for Donald Trump's campaign denied any involvement. The incident underscores the vulnerabilities in the political process and the need for vigilance against misinformation and manipulation tactics.
As the New Hampshire primary approaches, this episode serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges facing electoral integrity in the digital age. Sullivan's pursuit of legal action signifies a broader effort to safeguard democratic values and the sanctity of the voting process.
