Election ‘Integrity’ Group Ordered to Remove Voter Data From Website
SAINT PAUL, Minn. — A self-styled election integrity organization has been ordered to remove private voter information from a website it operates, the Minnesota secretary of State announced on Thursday.
Minnesota Election Integrity Solutions is a 501(c)(3) organization operating out of a strip mall in Eagan, Minnesota, that states its mission is to “increase voter participation and raise public awareness of important issues related to a transparent, free and fair election process.”
But Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said in a letter to the organization that it went a step too far when it published voter information online earlier this month.
According to the secretary of State’s office, MEIS published the data on its website, claiming to allow users to verify their “voter roll information to ensure its accuracy and up-to-date status.”
The website’s disclaimer states the information comes from the Minnesota secretary of State’s registered voter list.
Simon’s letter made plain that it is a felony in Minnesota to publish information from the state’s registered voter list online, and warned the organization that it will face legal action if the information is not removed from the internet by next Friday, May 2.
Simon also noted his office already makes free, online tools available that allow Minnesotans to check their voter registration status or register to vote at mnvotes.gov.
“Minnesota’s voters expect privacy, and I will always stand up to protect the confidentiality of their personal voter data,” Simon said in a written statement. “Illegally posting this data is an offense to every registered voter.
“The fact that it’s done in the name of ‘election integrity’ makes it even more outrageous. I expect that this organization will do what’s right and remove the information immediately,” he said.
The Well News has reached out to Minnesota Election Integrity Solutions and will update this story upon receipt of its response.
Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue
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