Committee approves substitute for bill restricting county clerks' use of voter data

The House committee adopted a first substitute to House Bill 69 on a unanimous voice vote after a day of testimony and debate over what parts of voter records should remain public and whether county clerks may access records for political purposes.

The substitute codifies an explicit list of fields that remain public and adds a code of conduct that bars election officials from accessing or using voter information “for a purpose that is unrelated to the course of your duties,” Representative Riesha, the bill sponsor, told the committee. "You cannot use someone's voting information for political purposes or access their information without a reason that is directly related to the course of your duties," she said.

Why it matters: The bill grew out of complaints that county clerks' access to voter information had been used in ways some considered political. Supporters said the substitute balances transparency with individual privacy and prevents “weaponizing” of voter data. Opponents said the measure could reduce transparency for researchers and members of the public who study elections.

Committee discussion and summary

Sponsor remarks. Representative Riesha told the committee the…