Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler announced Monday he will not turn over voter information to President Trump's Presidential Commission on Election Integrity.
“The President’s Commission has quickly politicized its work by asking states for an incredible amount of voter data that I have, time and time again, refused to release,” Schedler said in a statement. “My response to the Commission is, you're not going to play politics with Louisiana’s voter data, and if you are, then you can purchase the limited public information available by law, to any candidate running for office. That’s it.”
Louisiana's public voter list includes a voter's name, address, party affiliation, and which elections they took part in. It does not say who someone voted for.
The secretary of state noted he fought an attempt by the Obama Administration's Department of Justice to get a complete copy of Louisiana's election database, which would include private information like social security number, mother's maiden name, and date of birth.
“I denied the Obama Justice Department’s request and I’m denying President Trump’s Commission’s request because they are both politically motivated,” he said. “The release of private information creates a tremendous breach of trust with voters who work hard to protect themselves against identity fraud. That’s why it is protected by six federal laws and two state laws. This Commission needs to understand clearly, disclosure of such sensitive information is more likely to diminish voter participation rather than foster it. I have been fighting this kind of federal intrusion and overreach, and will continue to fight like hell for the people who trust me with the integrity of our election process."
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