Protected voter information inadvertently released

Secretary of State Ken Detzner reported to Historic City News that the Florida Division of Elections has learned of the “inadvertent release” of protected voter information following the fulfillment of a request for extracted voter registration information last month.

A malfunction in the automated software used to process record extract requests is being blamed for the distribution of compact disks containing personal information from Florida’s voter records to fifteen different recipients.

• Florida’s open records law makes available to the public, information contained in most state databases including sensitive data, including personally identifiable information.
• You do not need to provide a reason for your request — nor do you need to identify yourself in order to make a public records request under the provisions of Chapter 119 F.S.
• Certain information included in state databases is defined as “confidential”. Social security numbers and driver license numbers are examples. Confidential information is exempt from disclosure from open records requests. Detzner says that information was not released in this case.
• Other identification information, such as a voter’s name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email address, are considered “non-confidential” and may be released to the public upon request.

Maria Matthews, Esq., Director of the Division of Elections, explained that high-risk professionals can make a written request to protect non-confidential information from public release.

Individuals designated as “high-risk” include, but are not limited to, law enforcement officials, judges and high-level state officials. According to Matthews, this incident involved the release of non-confidential protected information of those voters.

“If affected individuals experience any fraud, threats or harassment connected to this incident, they should report such incidents to local law enforcement,” Matthews said. “The department has taken action to prevent future occurrences.”