[occsceo]

I've been working on a project like this for some time now - and wresting with whether I want to go the community-based vs. closed source model.

The problems listed below are pretty exact: huge data sets, lots of cleaning and normalizing, and the snail mail/cd problem is real. Additionally, I'd note that ~40% of the states [somehow] charge for the data...it takes six digits to get a snapshot of all 50 states - and certain states (looking at you FL) say that they do not store the historical, meaning you have to connect with the local BoE's to aggregate the data.

A part of me [now] wants to open source this because of the DNC's actions.

[toomuchtodo]

> A part of me [now] wants to open source this because of the DNC's actions.

Was my thought exactly. Aggregate, then open.

[sethbannon]

Would love to hear more and see if we can't collaborate on this. My email is seth AT amicushq DOT com.

[occsceo]

i'll fire an email your way shortly. but yea, a conversation would be great.

[michael_fine]

Not to pollute the thread, but I'm also really interested in this, I've worked at both the Clinton campaign and NGP VAN and it seems like a very worthwhile pursuit. If you're adding people, my email is in my profile.

[legutierr]

I've also wanted to get involved in a open voterfile project like yours for a very long time. I'd love to connect as well. My email's my username at gmail, if you're interested.

[aamar]

If you open it up with addresses/phone/email-addresses, beware that the main users may be commercial marketers (i.e. junk mail senders), not campaigns. Also note that many states license the data with a restriction that it only be used for election purposes.

[occsceo]

if I define open as, "your campaign would have to register and be verified"...then it abides by the state/fed rules for these datasets. I can't just throw the data on github.

[jeff_marshall]

Can you comment on this a bit?

It's not obvious to me how open access to this data would be intrinsicly bad, but I suppose that relies on the assumption that it's equally available to all parties (which may not (definitely not?)) be the case.

any pointers to the statuatory/regulatory guidelines would be appreciated.

[occsceo]

The first question I ask people when talking about this project is, "Do you know your voter information is public?" About 85% are shocked and in horror that this information is available. Outside of a campaign, it is hard to say if the public would support it.

I've chatted with a two different lawyers over here in Ohio...and both have advised strict security and election/campaign use only.

[epaulson]

Here's a good list:

http://nationbuilder.com/voterdata

[occsceo]

a good overview, yes. For example, NY says "Election purposes only", but fails to mention that each infraction is a misdemeanor. And, Ohio is wrong. Ohio is campaign/election use only, also with the misdemeanor kicker.