Voting Rights and Privacy
The Right of Privacy/Demand Your Rights
The federal government is asking for voter data on New Hampshire voters. Some of the voter data is already public: name, address, party affiliation. The state has said it is willing to share limited and basic voter data. But the federal government recently requested more sensitive data including partial social security numbers and drivers license numbers.
New Hampshire has to this point refused to provide it and should not provide it based on our Bill of Rights.
In 2018, New Hampshire voters added a new promise to the state’s Bill of Rights: Part I, Article 2-b, titled “Right of Privacy.” It states that an individual’s right to live free from governmental intrusion into “private or personal information” is “natural, essential, and inherent.” In plain terms, it frames privacy not as a privilege the government grants, but as a basic right the government must respect.
So, what does this look like in everyday life? Article 2-b strengthens arguments that the government should have a strong justification—and follow fair procedures—before it: requires disclosure of confidential records held by third parties, accesses or shares personal data it already holds, uses new technologies that expand surveillance or tracking such as AI, or collects more data than necessary for a legitimate public purpose.
Here are ways to ensure your data stays your data:
1. Understand what is already public.
2. Opt out of sharing wherever allowed.
3. Review your voter registration record. Register carefully, only providing required information.
4. Apply for confidentiality protections which suppresses public voter lists if needed for safety.
5. Vote in person
Article 2-b puts modern meaning behind an old instinct: your life shouldn’t come with a government file attached.
If you want to ensure your data stays your data and not fed into an algorithmic formula for voter suppression or privacy invasion, Speak with your state representative NOW!
Contributed by Judith Bitterli
