Missouri Senate Bill Would Post Full Voter List Online, Sparking Privacy Clash
A Missouri Senate bill that would put the full statewide voter registration list online — complete with names, addresses and dates of birth — is drawing bipartisan privacy concerns from state lawmakers.
At a recent hearing, critics said making personal information for roughly 4.5 million registered voters publicly searchable on the Secretary of State’s website could jeopardize voter privacy. That concern has emerged as the proposal moves through the Legislature.
Under the legislation from Republican Sen. Jill Carter of Granby, the Secretary of State’s office would be required to publish the entire list of registered voters on its site, including each person’s assigned precinct and other details. According to Missouri Independent, lawmakers on the Senate Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee debated the measure, with concerns raised about the amount of personal data that would be publicly exposed.
Supporters pointed out that voter registration lists are already public records that can be obtained with a Sunshine Law request, and online access could help election administrators and volunteer poll workers access up-to-date information. Opponents said posting such sensitive data could create unnecessary risk.
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“This seems like a lot of personal information that is going out there,” said Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern (D-Kansas City) during the hearing.
Backers have acknowledged that the language requiring online posting may have been a drafting error, and Senate offices said they may revise language before further votes. Polling data on public reaction to this measure is not yet available.
The bill also ties in other election administration provisions, such as reporting separate tallies for Election Day and absentee ballots, and extending a fee that funds the Secretary of State’s technology and cybersecurity efforts.
Lawmakers will vote again in committee before the measure can reach the full Senate, and amendments are expected as critics push for privacy safeguards.
What happens next is a committee vote and potential revisions to the bill’s language before it advances in the Missouri Legislature.
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