What Information From Your Voting Record Is Public?

State law controls how much voter information is accessible and to whom. The Secretary of State in your state generally controls voter registration lists and determines what information is confidential, who can request voter data, and restrictions on how voter registration information may be used. For example, law enforcement may access voting records when investigating potential election crimes and breaches of sensitive voter data.

Understanding Your Voting Record: What’s Collected vs. What’s Public

Many voters believe that because their ballot is secret, all information about their voting is private. That is not the case. States collect extensive information when you register to vote, but not all of it becomes public record.

What’s always private:

• Your ballot choices (who or what you voted for)
• Personally identifiable information like your Social Security number
• Your driver’s license number
• Your signature (in most states)
• Your passport or military ID numbers

What’s usually public:

• Your name
• Your home address
• Your party affiliation
• Your voting history (whether and when you voted, not your choices)
• Your voter registration status

What varies by state:

• Date of birth (some states release full DOB, others only the year)
• Phone number
• Email address
• Gender
• Voter registration date

The key distinction: Your voting record shows whether you voted and when, but never who or what you voted for. Your completed ballot is always confidential.

What Information Do State Voting Records Contain?

States collect different types of information on voter registration applications. The table below shows what categories of information your state may collect and whether it’s typically available to the public.

Voting Record Information

Examples of State Variations

Access to voter information varies significantly by state. Here are some examples:

• California: Full date of birth is public; email addresses are confidential; phone numbers are public
• Florida: Full date of birth is public; phone numbers and email addresses are public
• New York: Only birth year is public; phone numbers and email addresses are confidential
• Texas: Phone numbers and email addresses are confidential for most voters
• Ohio: Phone numbers may be public; email addresses are generally not
• Washington: Voters can request that phone and email remain confidential

For your state’s specific rules, check your Secretary of State’s website or consult the National Conference of State Legislatures database.

Understanding Voting Participation vs. Ballot Secrecy

It’s important to understand what “voting history” means. Public voting history includes things like:

• Whether you voted in the 2024 general election
• Whether you voted in the 2022 midterms
• Whether you requested an absentee or mail ballot
• Which elections you participated in over time
• Your overall voting frequency (regular voter, occasional voter, etc.)

Meanwhile, private ballot information includes:

• Which candidates you chose
• How you voted on ballot measures or propositions
• Your choices in primary elections
• Any other selections you made on your ballot

Political campaigns, researchers, and others use your public voting participation history to identify likely voters, target outreach efforts, and analyze turnout patterns. However, they can never see your actual ballot choices.

Who Can Request Voting Record Information?

Depending on your state (and sometimes your county), the following groups can submit a written request for your voting record:

• Political parties and candidates
• Law enforcement agencies
• Government officials
• Businesses (in some states, with restrictions)
• Academic researchers and scholars
• Journalists and media organizations
• General public (in many states, any person can request voter data)

State statutes define who can request a voter list, what information is available to share, and how that information can be used.

Access Levels by Requester Type

Different requesters may receive different levels of information:

How Your Public Voter Data Is Used

Mobile applications have made voter information more accessible to the general public. Apps like OutVote and VoteWithMe use publicly available voter records to show users which of their contacts are registered voters and their voting frequency.

While these apps only use data that’s already public, they’ve raised privacy concerns by:

• Making voter information instantly searchable
• Enabling social comparison of voting participation
• Potentially pressuring non-voters through social networks
• Combining voter data with other digital information

These apps are legal because they only access information that’s already available through public records requests. However, some voters find this use of their data invasive.

Political Campaigns

Political campaigns purchase voting records for political purposes, such as:

• Voter targeting: Identifying likely supporters based on party affiliation and voting frequency
• “Get out the vote” (GOTV) efforts: Contacting registered voters who don’t consistently vote
• Redistricting: Revising election district boundaries (as in California)
• Donor prospecting: Identifying potential campaign contributors
• Volunteer recruitment: Finding engaged voters in specific areas

Campaigns increasingly use sophisticated data analytics and artificial intelligence to:

• Predict your likelihood of supporting specific candidates or issues
• Determine the most effective contact methods (door-to-door, phone, text, mail)
• Customize messaging based on your demographic profile and voting patterns
• Time outreach for maximum impact

Researchers and Journalists

Academic researchers and journalists use voter records to:

• Analyze turnout patterns and trends
• Study voting behavior across demographics
• Investigate election administration issues
• Fact-check political claims about voter participation
• Report on campaign finance and political organizing

Prohibited Uses

Nearly all states limit the use of voter registration records to non-commercial purposes only. Election officials and political campaigns cannot:

• Use voter information to harass or intimidate voters
• Sell voter information to foreign agencies or entities
• Use voter data for commercial solicitation (in most states)
• Misrepresent their identity or purpose when requesting data
• Use protected voter information if they qualify for confidentiality

Violations of these restrictions can result in criminal penalties, civil fines, and loss of access to voter data.

Can My Voting Record Be Kept Private?

Yes, but the options vary significantly by state. There are two main pathways to privacy:

Address Confidentiality Programs

Your state may have programs that allow certain qualifying individuals to keep their addresses and other personal information confidential. These address confidentiality programs typically protect people at risk of harm if their information is public, such as:

• Domestic violence victims
• Sexual assault survivors
• Stalking victims
• Human trafficking survivors
• Individuals with protective orders or restraining orders
• Crime victims and witnesses under protection
• Family members of protected individuals
• Law enforcement officers and their families
• State and federal judges
• Prosecutors and public attorneys
• Election workers (in some states, due to recent threats)
• Reproductive healthcare medical providers, employees, and volunteers
• Patients of reproductive healthcare facilities (in some states)
• Abortion providers and staff (expanded protection in many states post-2022)
• Uniformed service members (active duty)
• Foster parents
• Pre-registered voters under age 18
• Youth in state care

To enroll in an address confidentiality program, you typically must:

1. Apply through your state’s designated agency (often the Secretary of State or Attorney General)
2. Provide documentation of your qualifying status
3. Use a substitute address provided by the program for official purposes
4. Renew your enrollment periodically

General Privacy Options

Some states allow any voter to request that their voting records be classified as private or confidential, regardless of their circumstances. States offering broad privacy options include:

• Utah: Any voter can request confidentiality
• Nevada: Any voter can designate their registration as confidential
• District of Columbia: Voters can opt for privacy
• Arkansas: Broad confidentiality options available
• Arizona: Any voter can request to suppress their information
• Delaware: Privacy options available to all voters

In these states, you typically don’t need to provide a reason or prove you’re at risk. Check your state’s voter registration form or Secretary of State website for specific instructions.

How to Request Privacy Protection

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility

• Visit your Secretary of State website
• Look for “address confidentiality program,” “voter privacy,” or “safe at home” program
• Review eligibility requirements

Step 2: Gather Documentation

• Protective orders or court documents (if applicable)
• Employment verification (for law enforcement, judges, etc.)
• Program enrollment forms
• Identification documents

Step 3: Submit Your Application

• Complete application forms thoroughly
• Include all required documentation
• Submit to the designated state agency
• Follow up to confirm enrollment

Step 4: Maintain Your Protection

• Use your substitute address for all official purposes
• Renew your enrollment as required
• Update the program if you move or your circumstances change
• Notify the program if you no longer need protection

Security Concerns and Data Breaches

While voter information is intended for legitimate uses, it can be targeted for theft or misuse.

Past Security Incidents

Voter data has been compromised in several high-profile incidents

In 2018, millions of voter records from 19 states were illegally offered for sale in an online forum. The source of those records was unknown, highlighting vulnerabilities in how voter data is stored and transmitted.

After the 2020 election, concerns increased about foreign interference and domestic disinformation campaigns using voter data to target specific populations with misleading information.

Phishing attempts and scams targeting voters continue to use publicly available voter information to appear legitimate.

Recognizing Legitimate vs. Suspicious Contact

Because your contact information may be public, you might receive calls, texts, or emails related to voting. Here’s how to evaluate them:

Legitimate contact may include:

• Campaign communications identifying themselves and their candidate
• Nonpartisan voter registration or turnout efforts
• Official communications from your county election office
• Poll worker recruitment
• Voter research surveys from recognized organizations

Keep an eye out for the following red flags:

• Requests for your Social Security number, driver’s license number, or financial information
• Claims you need to “re-register” by clicking a link
• Threats that your registration will be cancelled
• Pressure to vote a certain way or share your ballot choices
• Requests to “verify your voter information” via email or text link
• Messages claiming to show you “who voted for” or “how people voted”

If you receive suspicious contact:

1. Do not click links or provide personal information
2. Contact your county election office directly using a phone number or website you look up independently
3. Report suspected voter intimidation or fraud to your state election officials
4. File a complaint with the Election Assistance Commission if appropriate

Protecting Yourself

While you can’t control what information is public, you can:

• Monitor your voter registration status regularly through your state’s official portal
• Be skeptical of unsolicited contact using your voter information
• Report misuse if someone uses your voter data for harassment or intimidation
• Consider privacy programs if you qualify
• Use secure methods when updating your voter registration
• Be cautious on social media about revealing detailed voting information that could be combined with public records

How to Find Out What’s Public About You

Want to know exactly what information about you is available? Follow these steps:

Step 1: Check Your State’s Voter Information Portal

• Visit your Secretary of State’s website
• Look for “voter information lookup” or “check registration status”
• Enter your information to see what’s displayed publicly

Step 2: Review Your State’s Public Records Policy

• Find your state’s voter file access or voter list policies
• Check what categories are marked “public” vs. “confidential”
• Note any restrictions on use or access

Step 3: Submit Your Own Public Records Request (Optional)

• Request a copy of your voter record as it would be released to the public
• Compare what you receive to what your state says should be public
• Verify accuracy of your information

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone find out who I voted for?
No. Your ballot choices are always confidential. No one—not the government, campaigns, researchers, or anyone else—can see who or what you voted for.

Can I opt out of having my information public?
It depends on your state. Some states allow any voter to request privacy. Others only offer confidentiality programs for people in specific protected categories. Check your Secretary of State website for your state’s options.

Why is my phone number or email address public?
Some states consider contact information public to facilitate legitimate voter outreach. Other states protect this information. Your state’s policy depends on how it balances transparency and privacy interests.

Can political campaigns call or text me using this data?
Yes, if your phone number is public in your state. However, campaigns must comply with federal and state telemarketing laws, including Do Not Call registries for some types of calls. Robotexts and robocalls have additional restrictions.

Can I remove my information from voter data apps?
The apps don’t collect new data—they only display information that’s already public through your state. To remove your information, you’d need to qualify for and enroll in your state’s privacy protection program.

What should I do if my voter information is being misused?
Document the misuse and report it to:

• Your county election office
• Your state election officials or Secretary of State
• Law enforcement if the misuse involves threats or harassment
• The organization or campaign misusing the data

Is voter information protected by privacy laws?
Voter information is governed by state public records laws, not federal privacy laws like HIPAA or financial privacy regulations. Each state determines what’s public and what’s protected.

Talk to a Lawyer About Exemptions From Public Record Requests

If you have concerns about the privacy of your voting record, potential voting record violations, or other voting law issues, talk to a civil rights attorney in your community who can explain your rights.

An attorney can help you:

• Determine if you qualify for confidentiality programs
• Navigate the application process for privacy protection
• Respond to misuse of your voter information
• Understand your state’s specific voter privacy laws
• Address harassment or intimidation based on voter data
• File complaints if your protected information is improperly disclosed