North Dakota House Bill HB1616

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/25
• Refer: 1/20/25
• Report DNP: 2/17/25

Caption

Availability of voter lists.

Impact

The bill is intended to enhance the transparency of election processes by granting access to voter data while highlighting restrictions on the sale and distribution of such information. If enacted, this legislation would establish a framework for how voter data can be handled, potentially improving the electoral process by enabling better-informed campaigns while safeguarding sensitive voter information. The funds received by the Secretary of State for producing reports or lists will be directed to their operating fund, thus potentially easing financial burdens associated with managing voter data.

Summary

House Bill 1616 seeks to amend section 16.1-02-15 of the North Dakota Century Code, clarifying the conditions under which voter lists and reports can be made available for election-related purposes. This bill allows voter lists or reports to be distributed to candidates, political parties, and political committees, providing that the information is used solely for election-related activities. The provisions stipulate that no individual records classified as 'secured active' are to be shared except in specified circumstances, thus offering a level of privacy protection for certain voters.

Contention

Debates surrounding HB 1616 may involve concerns about privacy and the potential misuse of voter information. While it aims to ensure that access to voter lists supports electoral integrity and transparency, there could be discussions about how broadly the term 'election-related purposes' is defined. Critics might argue that this could lead to unintended consequences, such as the exploitation of voter information for non-electoral uses, thus emphasizing the need for stringent guidelines to prevent data abuse.