When Read refused to provide the federal justice department with Oregon voter details, he also informed its lawyers that they, like “any person,” could simply fill out an online request form, pay $500 and get an electronic copy of public records showing the name, year of birth, address, political party and voting history of every registered Oregon voter along with data on many Oregonians whose voter registrations have lapsed.
Voter records are, like most state records, considered publicly owned information.
I’m sure the assumption in the pre-computer era was that it would help with election security and detecting ballot stuffers/fake registrations. If someone suspected foul play in an election they could review it themselves. There was also some semblance of expected decorum around sensitive info.
In the age of the datamine, those presumptions have long since been bad…
Wait, why is this legal?
State wants money
Voter records are, like most state records, considered publicly owned information.
I’m sure the assumption in the pre-computer era was that it would help with election security and detecting ballot stuffers/fake registrations. If someone suspected foul play in an election they could review it themselves. There was also some semblance of expected decorum around sensitive info.
In the age of the datamine, those presumptions have long since been bad…