Election Commission to States: Hold Voter Info Pending Legal Ruling
President Trump’s election commission sent a letter today asking Secretaries of State to hold off on submitting the voter data it requested pending a federal judge’s ruling on a legal challenge. The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) filed a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order on the commission’s request, saying it was an unprecedented invasion of American privacy.
The commission had requested all 50 states submit detailed voter information, including names, addresses, the last four digits of social security numbers, military history, and voting history. The request set off a firestorm, with some states saying they’d provide only what was publicly available, others agreeing to submit all voter data, and still others that refused to submit any information on its voters.
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill learned of the letter from the commission halting data collection when he was contacted about it by WBHM Monday evening. He said EPIC’s move challenging the request was somewhat expected.
“I’m not surprised if some group reached out and tried to discourage the request from being fulfilled at any level,” Merrill said Monday.
He said with some states “It’s going to be difficult for them to find anything that they will find useful,” Merrill said. Several Secretaries of State including Merrill questioned the commission’s intent in wanting to collect detailed voter data.
“I’m not sure what their mission is. That’s part of the problem,” he said. “And unfortunately I don’t think that anybody else does either.”
Here’s the letter from the commission, obtained by WBHM:
Dear Election Official,
As you may know, the Electronic Privacy Information Center filed a complaint seeking a Temporary Restraining Order (“TRO”) in connection with the June 28, 2017 letter sent by Vice Chair Kris Kobach requesting publicly-available voter data. See Electronic Privacy Information Center v. Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Until the Judge rules on the TRO, we request that you hold on submitting any data. We will follow up with you with further instructions once the Judge issues her ruling.
Andrew Kossack
Designated Federal Officer
Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity
Memory loss: As AI gobbles up chips, prices for devices may rise
Demand for memory chips currently exceeds supply and there's very little chance of that changing any time soon. More chips for AI means less available for other products such as computers and phones and that could drive up those prices too.
Brigitte Bardot, sex goddess of cinema, has died
Legendary screen siren and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot has died at age 91. The alluring former model starred in numerous movies, often playing the highly sexualized love interest.
For Ukrainians, a nuclear missile museum is a bitter reminder of what the country gave up
The Museum of Strategic Missile Forces tells the story of how Ukraine dismantled its nuclear weapons arsenal after independence in 1991. Today many Ukrainians believe that decision to give up nukes was a mistake.
Jeffrey R. Holland, next in line to lead Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dies at 85
Jeffrey R. Holland led the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a key governing body. He was next in line to become the church's president.
Winter storm brings heavy snow and ice to busy holiday travel weekend
A powerful winter storm is impacting parts of the U.S. with major snowfall, ice, and below zero wind chills. The conditions are disrupting holiday travel and could last through next week.
Disability rights advocate Bob Kafka dead at 79
Bob Kafka was an organizer with ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today), a group which advocates for policy change to support people with disabilities.
