Illinois voters’ personal information, including full names, birthdates, and addresses, is currently being published on various websites across the state. The State Board of Elections is investigating these websites, which are posing as legitimate news sources, and has asked the publisher, Local Government Information Services, to take down the sensitive data.
In the past, voter data files were only available for purchase by political action committees or government entities for specific purposes such as creating mailing lists or organizing ‘Get Out the Vote’ efforts. However, these websites have made this information publicly accessible, raising concerns about identity theft and privacy.
Local Government Information Services is behind these websites, which are part of a larger conservative organization funded by a now-defunct political action committee called Liberty Principles PAC. The State Board of Elections is currently exploring legal options to address this breach of voter privacy.
Although the publisher has been contacted and informed about the issue, the websites are still active, containing posts with voters’ personal information. The Illinois Press Association has disavowed these publications, citing a lack of commitment to local journalism.
The McLean County Republican Party has also expressed concern about the unethical release of voter information by one of the websites, the McLean County Times. While not illegal, the party finds the publication of this data disturbing.
As the State Board of Elections continues to work towards resolving this issue, it highlights the importance of safeguarding voters’ personal information and ensuring their privacy is protected. The investigation into these websites and the publication of sensitive voter data remains ongoing.
