Comment Risks of Accessible,Public Voter Registration Info (Score 1) 77
I was the one who brought this website to the attention of Privacy Forum maintainer Lauren Weinstein last Friday.
Yes, voter registration records are public information. And this poses a great risk for:
- people who are fleeing abusive relationships
- people who work in occupations where privacy is important (e.g., therapist, police officer, journalist)
- victims whose perpetrators are out for revenge
Should voter reigistration information be public information? Or should it require a subpoena or some other request? It's important in democracy to verify that the people who voted are the residents they claim to be. But should voting be a right allowed only to those who are willing to give up a lot of privacy? And how much information needs to be displayed? Why date of birth and address, but not proof of citizenship or proof of no felony convictions?
Furthermore, should driving be a privilege only to those who are willing to give up some privacy? In TX, like other states, you're automatically registered to vote if you're eligible when you get a driver's license because of the "Motor Voter" law. I'm not even sure if you can opt-out of motor votor. So, if you get a license, your address is publicly available.
When I went for my driver's license this year, I think there was a checkbox for motor votor, but there was nothing about the privacy implications or that my address would be available on the web.
The problem with having registration records on the web is that it makes it so much easier for someone to gather your information. And I'm not talking about the annoying aluminum siding company or local church. I'm talking about the kinds of people who hold a grudge against you.
Whoever put the website together (I can't get through to them on the phone), certainly didn't think about these privacy considerations. The county just put up a lame disclaimer that they're not responsible for the accuracy of the info or how it's used.
Yes, voter registration records are public information. And this poses a great risk for:
- people who are fleeing abusive relationships
- people who work in occupations where privacy is important (e.g., therapist, police officer, journalist)
- victims whose perpetrators are out for revenge
Should voter reigistration information be public information? Or should it require a subpoena or some other request? It's important in democracy to verify that the people who voted are the residents they claim to be. But should voting be a right allowed only to those who are willing to give up a lot of privacy? And how much information needs to be displayed? Why date of birth and address, but not proof of citizenship or proof of no felony convictions?
Furthermore, should driving be a privilege only to those who are willing to give up some privacy? In TX, like other states, you're automatically registered to vote if you're eligible when you get a driver's license because of the "Motor Voter" law. I'm not even sure if you can opt-out of motor votor. So, if you get a license, your address is publicly available.
When I went for my driver's license this year, I think there was a checkbox for motor votor, but there was nothing about the privacy implications or that my address would be available on the web.
The problem with having registration records on the web is that it makes it so much easier for someone to gather your information. And I'm not talking about the annoying aluminum siding company or local church. I'm talking about the kinds of people who hold a grudge against you.
Whoever put the website together (I can't get through to them on the phone), certainly didn't think about these privacy considerations. The county just put up a lame disclaimer that they're not responsible for the accuracy of the info or how it's used.
