A recent request by the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity for state’s voter information has resulted in questions and concerns from residents about the privacy of their information, according to the Lake County Supervisor of Elections Office.
Lake County’s Supervisor of Elections office is reminding residents that under Chapter 97 of Florida Statutes, which outlines the qualification and registration of electors, information related to a voter’s Social Security number, driver’s license number, voter identification number and signature are exempt from being released under Florida’s public records laws.
The office also does not keep records on an individual’s voting history.
“I am very concerned about the security of voters’ private information,” said Alan Hays, Lake County’s Supervisor of Elections. “Our office is committed to protecting the security of personal information and not releasing any data that is protected by the Florida Statutes. We want to reassure voters that the only information that has been released or will be released by our office is that which is required by Florida Statutes.”
Last week, Florida’s Secretary of State Ken Detzner responded to the request by the Commission, stating that Florida would retain its current standard of records release protocols, and only issue information that meets the requirements of a public records request.
“Since the request by the Commission, several residents have voiced their concerns, and have asked if they should be taken off of the voter rolls to protect their information,” added Hays. “I have been reassuring them that the process of data protection that has been in place for many years will continue to be fully utilized. The right to vote is sacred and I would hate for a practice that has been in existence for a long time to cause folks to question maintaining their voter registration status.”
For more information on registering to vote, or updating your voter status, visit www.LakeVotes.com, or call the Lake County Supervisor of Elections Office at 352-343-9734.
