HARRISBURG, PA – RITE is demanding records from the Pennsylvania Department of State in response to reports that left-wing activists are using software to operate a voter registration website mimicking the Commonwealth’s official voter registration website.
“Citizens trying to register to vote should not have to worry that they might be part of a scheme to help political operatives build their lucrative and politically valuable data files,” said Derek Lyons, President of RITE. “Our inquiry with the Pennsylvania Department of State aims to help the public gain a better understanding of the data collection practices of potentially unscrupulous third parties. Recent reports indicate that at least one organization has been masquerading as an official website and capturing the personal information of potentially unsuspecting voters. Our request will help the public understand if the Governor and the Secretary of State have been allowing other organizations to engage in similarly suspect conduct that threatens citizens’ privacy and their perceptions of bias in what should be a non-partisan process.”
Vote.PA or Vote.PA.gov
A liberal organization was found to be offering voter registration to individuals on a website that is misleadingly similar to that of the Pennsylvania Department of State. The website has questionable data privacy policies and may not be operating consistent with official guidelines. The site uses a software interface developed by the Pennsylvania Department of State, which is available for third-party use to register voters online. Records made public through earlier requests reveal that almost all those using the software are left-wing activist groups.
RITE has submitted a request under the state’s “Right to Know” records disclosure law to obtain records, communications, and documents surrounding the development, implementation, security, and legal authority of this program. By revealing this information, RITE, and other organizations will be able to provide oversight and accountability to ensure that the program is secure, legal, and properly protects voters’ personal identifiable information.
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