Protect your private voter information from Trump invasion
By Christopher Shea, Rhode Island Current
The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island and the state’s Common Cause chapter jointly filed a motion Tuesday to intervene in the lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice in Rhode Island federal court on Dec. 2, citing a need to halt a “potential misuse of voters’ sensitive data.”
“Privacy is essential — especially as related to a right as fundamental as voting,” Steven Brown, executive director of the ACLU of Rhode Island, said in a statement. “The Department of Justice has no need for voters’ personal information.”
Since May, the DOJ has reached out to at least 40 states seeking voter lists, including personal information typically protected under state and federal laws, like Social Security and driver’s license numbers.
Amore was formally asked by the DOJ to turn over Rhode Island’s full list on Sept. 8, but he refused to comply. Instead, Amore offered to provide a free copy of the statewide voter list already publicly available — typically provided upon request with a $25 fee.
The Trump administration argues the government is entitled to personal voter data under the 1960 Civil Rights Act, the 2002 Help America Vote Act and the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
In suing Amore, the DOJ states it aims to “ascertain Rhode Island’s compliance with list maintenance requirements,” according to the 10-page complaint.
But the ACLU and Common Cause argue in their filing that the federal government does not have a proper purpose under the law for requesting the personal data of Rhode Island’s electorate.
“This dangerous directive puts our sensitive information at risk simply so the Trump Administration can spread election lies,” John Marion, executive director for Common Cause Rhode Island, said in a statement.
The groups’ motion to intervene also includes voters who have agreed to testify over their concerns over how the Trump administration may use their data, including a recently naturalized resident originally from Brazil.
“I believe that recently-naturalized citizens like me may be more vulnerable than other groups of voters to false allegations about illegal voting,” Julia Sanches of Providence wrote in her declaration. “We should make the electoral process more welcoming to every eligible voter and make sure that voters are not intimidated from exercising their rights.”
Amore’s office referred comment on the ACLU and Common Cause’s joint motion to the Rhode Island Office of Attorney General.
The case is assigned to Judge Mary S. McElroy, a first-term Trump appointee. No hearings have been scheduled as of Tuesday afternoon.
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Rhode Island Current is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Rhode Island Current maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janine L. Weisman for questions: info@rhodeislandcurrent.com.
