Voter List Access
Who can access the voter list?
Anyone can request access to a voter list, but the rules vary by state and usually limit how the information can be used. In many places, voter lists are available to political campaigns, candidates, journalists, academic researchers, and sometimes members of the public, but the data is typically restricted to basic details like name, address, and party affiliation. States also often require that voter lists be used only for purposes related to elections, political activities, or research, and they may prohibit using the data for commercial or harassment-related purposes.
Here are some examples of organizations that could qualify to receive the voter list and why they could be granted access:
Most states prohibit access for:
- Marketing companies
- Data brokers
- Businesses seeking commercial gain
- Individuals intending to publish personal voter data online
What is the cost for a voter list?
The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) allows states to charge reasonable, cost-based fees for providing voter registration lists. The law requires states to make the lists available for public inspection and copying, but it does not require that they be provided for free. States may charge only the actual, reasonable cost of copying or producing the list.
The actual cost to obtain a statewide voter list varies from state to state. Some states provide the lists for free, but that is a state policy choice-not an NVRA requirement. The price of the statewide voter file ranges from $0 to $38,000, for a one-time voter list purchase.
Some states offer discounted pricing when purchasing a multi-file subscription service (usually annual or 2-year election cycle). Depending on the election system used by each state, users will receive a new voter file each week/month or they could download a new file every day (unlimited).
| State | One-time file purchase | Subscription service purchase |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $50 | $1,000 |
| Montana | $1,000 | $5,000 |
| Tennessee | $2,500 | $12,000 |
| West Virginia | $500 | $1,000 |
A few states offer "free updates" during a specific period once a voter list is purchased.
| State | Updates available |
|---|---|
| Maine | Not more than once every 30 days for 12 months after purchase. |
| Rhode Island | Three free updates upon request within the calendar year. |
Most states charge a fixed, predetermined price for the voter list, regardless of the quantity of records (voters) contained in the file. However, there are a handful of states that use an equation to determine the cost of the voter file. Here is an example of how Arizona charges per record:
| Number of Records | Flat Rate | Additional Cost per Record |
|---|---|---|
| For 1 – 124,999 records | $93.75 | $0.0005 per record |
| For 125,000 – 249,999 records | $156.25 | $0.000375 per record |
| For 250,000 – 499,999 records | $203.13 | $0.00025 per record |
| For 500,000 – 999,999 records | $265.63 | $0.000125 per record |
| For 1,000,000 or more records | $328.13 | $0.0000625 per record |
What are the purpose limitations of the voter list?
Even though parts of the voter list are often public, there are important limits on how it can be used. Sensitive information—such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and sometimes full birthdates—is kept private to protect voters from identity theft or harassment.
Many states also restrict how the publicly available portions of the list can be used. For example, it is typically illegal to use voter data for commercial marketing, data brokers, harassment or intimidation, or non‑political advertising. Some voters, such as survivors of domestic violence or certain public safety workers, may request additional confidentiality so their addresses are not disclosed.
Does the federal government have access to voter lists?
Under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and the Civil Rights Act of 1960, states are required to maintain accurate voter rolls and make those records available for inspection.
- NVRA requires states to maintain accurate voter lists and produce them upon request
- HAVA mandates states modernize and safeguard voter registration systems
- Civil Rights Act of 1930 authorize the government to inspect and copy certain records, including voter rolls
Starting in May 2025, the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) began sending requests for access to unredacted statewide voter lists. Some states agreed to provide access to their voter lists, however, many states refused to comply with DOJ's request.
As of April 2026, the DOJ has filed lawsuits against 30 states and the District of Columbia for failing to provide the federal government with full, unrestricted access to state voter lists.