Klobuchar Opposes Presidential Commission on Election Integrity's Request of Sensitive Voter Data

Press Release

Following a request yesterday from the Presidential Commission on Election Integrity asking state election officials to turn over their full voter roll data, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today voiced opposition to the Commission's broad request of sensitive personal information on American voters that is often not publicly available, including the names, addresses, dates of birth, political party, voter history, and the last four digits of Americans' social security numbers. In a letter, Klobuchar asks the Commission to provide information in order to ensure that voting rights and the privacy of millions of Americans are not at risk.

"I write to oppose the Presidential Commission on Election Integrity's June 28th letter requesting sensitive voter roll data from state election officials and to request information regarding how the Presidential Commission on Election Integrity intends to use and protect the data," Klobuchar wrote.

"It was recently disclosed that 21 states were victims of attempted election hacks by Russia," Klobuchar continued. "In the letter the Commission requests personal information on American voters that is often not publicly available, including the names, addresses, dates of birth, political party, voter history, and the last four digits of Americans' social security numbers. This data is highly sensitive and given recent data breeches, I am concerned about maintaining the security and privacy of the data."

Thursday, Klobuchar, the ranking member on the Rules Committee, called the Presidential Commission on Election Integrity into question and requested details of the Commission's compliance with the Federal Advisory Commission Act (FACA). Along with Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Gary Peters (D-MI), and 12 other senators, Klobuchar demanded details as to the Commission's procedures and protocols of the Commission to ensure covered records are properly preserved and made accessible.

Klobuchar this week introduced legislation to improve the security of U.S. election systems and make commonsense improvements to election administration. In early January, Klobuchar introduced legislation with four other senators to create an independent, nonpartisan commission to comprehensively investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election. Klobuchar was recently in Ukraine, the Baltic states, and Georgia to reinforce support for our Eastern European allies and to focus on mounting international cybersecurity threats. The bipartisan congressional delegation was led by Republican Senator John McCain from Arizona, the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and also included Klobuchar and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

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