Trademark

Ohio voters will choose a new secretary of state on Nov. 3, picking among Republican Robert Sprague, the state's treasurer for the past eight years; Democratic state Rep. Allison Russo, former Ohio House minority leader; and Libertarian entrepreneur Tom Pruss. The office oversees the state's 88 county boards of elections, certifies results, runs the Ohio Ballot Board, investigates election fraud claims and maintains voter rolls, giving the winner significant influence over election administration and reform.

The race has sharpened around Issue 3, a ballot measure to enshrine Ohio's voter ID law in the state constitution. Sprague supports it and wants photo ID requirements extended to absentee voters, calling drop boxes unnecessary and a security risk. Russo opposes Issue 3 as a turnout tactic, says fraud is rare, and backs expanding drop boxes and voter registration efforts. Pruss also opposes Issue 3, supports drop boxes, and is campaigning chiefly to make ballot access easier for minor parties like his own.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick posted an AI-generated campaign ad featuring imagery and traditions from the University of Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech, prompting questions over whether he had permission to use their trademarked names and symbols. The 50-second ad, shared to X on September 5, depicts Democratic candidates Vikki Goodwin, Gina Hinojosa and James Talarico in mocking scenarios set at simulated football games featuring each school's mascots and traditions. UT, Texas A&M and Texas Tech all restrict use of their trademarks in political advertising, and state law bars universities from using resources to support candidates. Officials from the three schools have not confirmed whether they authorized the ad's use of their branding, though a state lawmaker has asked the presidents to clarify. Patrick's campaign has not said whether it sought permission or disclosed the ad as AI-generated.

The episode highlights gaps in Texas's deepfake election law, which only applies within 30 days of an election and requires proving intent to deceive — a threshold experts say is difficult to meet and easily circumvented by early ad releases.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick posted an apparent AI-generated campaign ad featuring imagery and traditions from the University of Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech to mock his Democratic opponents ahead of November's election. The 50-second ad, shared to X on Sept. 5, depicts Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Vikki Goodwin proposing new taxes at a simulated UT game, portrays Gina Hinojosa questioning Texas Tech fans' gun rights gestures, and shows U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico criticizing Texas A&M's "12th Man" tradition as "gendered." The ad had drawn over 907,000 views as of Friday.

All three universities restrict outside use of their trademarks, particularly in political contexts, and none confirmed to reporters whether Patrick had permission or whether the ad violated state rules barring public universities from supporting candidates. State Rep. Terry Canales has asked the schools to seek the ad's removal if unauthorized; only Texas A&M has responded so far. Patrick's campaign has not said whether it sought approval. Texas's existing deepfake law, which requires proving intent to deceive, only applies within 30 days of an election, leaving this ad unregulated. Goodwin has accused Patrick of using AI to misrepresent her.