Replies

I was trying to research this online as I know personal info is protected in most cases under privacy laws. However, based on what I’ve found so far, some of our voting info may not be (scarey thought). If any of our FReeper FRiends are attorneys that specialize in and/or are familiar w Privacy law, they would be best able to comment.

Here’s one article:

Voter Profiling

The government compels citizens to divulge certain information before participating in democratic processes. For instance, for purposes of voting registration, citizens have to provide their identity and address. Some districts also collect information on party affiliation. If a citizen donates over $200 to a candidate or political party, the citizen must provide name, address, and employment information under federal fundraising rules. This information is often in the public record, and may not be protected by use limitations or other Fair Information Practices.

This personal information often is used to build complex profiles of citizens and their likely voting behaviors. Aristotle, a company that creates voter profiling software, sells databases of voter information that includes name, address, phone number, donation history, and party affiliation. The company also sells tools to track voter correspondence with elected officials.

Privacy and Online Politics: Is Online Profiling Doing More Harm Than Good for Citizens in Our Political System, Center for Democracy and Technology.
Aristotle, voter profiling company.
Botched Name Purge Denied Some the Right to Vote, Washington Post, May 31, 2001.

http://epic.org/privacy/publicrecords/
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It appears that one can purchase a registered voter list and/or contributor lists here:
http://www.registeredvoterlists.com/home.html
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Stefan from Sound Politics did a yeoman’s job investigating the 2004 Election and fraud in WA State. This came up on my search and was on his web site:

July 07, 2006
Viewer Mail
Every once in a while I receive an e-mail like the one I just received from a guy named Tim at Boeing.

Subject: Unlawful release of PII

To whom it may concern,

I was shocked to find out that my birthdate and name is available for any individual or identify theft crook. According to your website , this info was made public by the state.

I would like to inform you that I never authorized this information to be released. This is an error that state made and you should not participate or perpetuate this error unless you plan to be an unlawful willing party to releasing confidential information.

Please remove my information from the data you make public. I never approved my birthdate being released to the general public.

Your prompt attention to this matter is appreciated.

Well, Tim, I’m giving this matter my prompt attention. Please read RCW 29A.08.710 (2) —

The following information contained in voter registration records or files regarding a voter or a group of voters is available for public inspection and copying, except as provided in RCW 40.24.060: The voter’s name, address, political jurisdiction, gender, date of birth, voting record, date of registration, and registration number.
Thank you for your letter, Tim, and please write again soon. Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at July 07, 2006 04:18 PM |

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I also found the following. I guess I’m missing something - why would someone need to go online and have a 3rd party prepare their voter registration form for them?
http://www.iwanttovote.com/index.cfm?source=overture

FWIW, one of Barack’s site came up in my search, but not McCain’s. I clicked on their privacy policy (which I don’t think most people read) and here’s some of what’s included:
Collection and disclosure of information:

The Federal Election Commission requires us to collect certain information from every donor who gives money to us. For these reasons, we collect some information that can be directly associated with a specific person. We call this “Personal Information,” and it includes, by way of illustration, names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses.

We collect Personal Information from donors and other eligible individuals who affirmatively request to receive e-mail or other services from us. We collect this Personal Information in order to provide these eligible individuals with timely information via e-mail regarding political events, resources and issues. We also collect Personal Information from those who make online contributions to the campaign, in order to process and report the contributions.

It is our general policy not to make Personal Information available to anyone other than our employees, staff, and agents. We may also make personal information available to organizations with similar political viewpoints and objectives, in furtherance of our own political objectives.

Online petitions and Personal Information:

We treat your name, city, state, and any comments as public information. We may, for example, provide compilations of petitions, with your comments, to national leaders, without disclosing email addresses. We may also make comments along with your city and state available to the press and public online.
http://www.barackobama.com/privacypolicy/