Who should have access to voter lists?
After first saying "no one," the House Committee on Privileges and Elections changed its mind yesterday and decided to table a bill that could have far-reaching political repercussions.
Currently, lists of who votes can only be given, or sold, to elected officials, candidates and political party chairmen. The lists do not tell whom the person voted for, but do give an indication of whether the person is likely to vote or not.
Candidates use the lists to target likely voters with direct mail and phone calls.
Last fall, a nonprofit organization in Hampton Roads, the "Know Campaign," tried to use a voter history list to shame non-voters into voting, through a mailing that would inform people that their neighbors hadn't voted. The mailing was halted at the last minute and the Know Campaign sued the State Board of Elections, claiming state law unconstitutionally limited who could have access to voting lists.
The state Attorney General's office settled with the organization by agreeing to get behind a bill that would add nonprofits to those given access to voters' history.
That's how the measure started out, but a subcommittee of the Privileges and Elections committee decided Thursday to recommend closing access to anyone.
That didn't sit well with several legislators on the panel yesterday. Del. David B. Albo, R-Fairfax, who just went through a campaign that cost more than $900,000, said he used the voter list to target likely voters. Without the list, he would have to send out a mass mailing that would greatly increase costs, he said.
The restricted list would push campaign costs up so much that candidates would be discouraged from running, he said.
Del. John A. Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, who had no competition last fall, said voter privacy should take precedent over candidates' convenience. Cosgrove was chairman of the subcommittee that recommended that the list be closed to everyone.
After the full committee voted to table the bill, Wes Russell, a deputy Attorney General, said the outcome of the lawsuit now depends on what the plaintiffs -- the Know Campaign -- do.
Also yesterday the committee voted to repeal a 2004 law that requires local governing officials to disclose campaign contributions of $500 or more during non-election years.
"It became a gotcha bill," Del. John M. O'Bannon III, R-Henrico, said of the 2004 legislation.
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