Opinion: The DOJ suing for voter data is dangerous on many levels

"Uncle Sam wants you. And now he wants your voting data, too. The law and long-standing policy say he shouldn't get it. The U.S. Department of Justice has filed lawsuits in 23 states and the District of Columbia seeking access to detailed voter information for the purpose of building a national database. The department's demand sets a dangerous precedent and could expose millions of Americans to fraud, abuse and other nefarious activity."

"As the amici note, although the federal government is entitled to certain voter information under various statutes, the Department of Justice has exceeded its authority by requesting sweeping access to all data for all voters nationwide, including registration method, participation history, party affiliation, partial Social Security Numbers (SSNs), and driver's license numbers, without demonstrating a sufficient legal or factual basis."

"One of the things I learned in my work as a national security prosecutor is the importance of keeping information compartmented. That means that data should be segregated so that only those with a legitimate need to know can access it. For example, classified information is compartmented into categories so that those who need access to confidential human sources in a terrorism case cannot also learn the location of nuclear weapons. Such separations are essential to operational security, ensuring tha"

The Department of Justice has filed lawsuits in 23 states and the District of Columbia seeking detailed voter information to build a national database. The demand requests sweeping access to registration method, participation history, party affiliation, partial Social Security Numbers, and driver's license numbers for all voters nationwide. Former DOJ voting-rights lawyers argue the request exceeds federal authority and violates statutes that assign voter-roll maintenance to the states. Critics warn the data collection could enable fraud, abuse, and bolster unfounded claims of noncitizen voting. Compartmenting of sensitive information is essential so that only officials with a legitimate need can access voter data, preserving operational security.

Read at www.mercurynews.com