By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Rightside Media.

What would you do if the state stopped selling your phone number to political campaigns? Representative Jamie Keel says Alabama is doing just that, while also making the voter roll cheaper for legitimate campaign use.

Lowering the Cost of Access

HB 67, a bill championed by Keel, reduces the fee for obtaining a portion of the voter roll from an estimated $38,000 to a capped $1,000. Keel explained that the reduction makes the data “much more accessible than thirty‑eight thousand dollars” for candidates who need to reach voters in their own districts. The lower price, he said, also prevents the average taxpayer from shouldering the entire cost of maintaining the roll.

“When I did my campaign, I bought the portion of the voter roll that was pertinent to my district. From that, I got to see who votes and target them at their homes,” Keel recalled, emphasizing the practical need for affordable data in grassroots outreach.

Privacy Protections Added

The same legislation strips away personally identifying information that had previously been sold by the Secretary of State’s office. Phone numbers, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and email addresses are now removed from the public file. Keel noted that “most people when they find out that the state of Alabama has been selling their phone numbers are infuriated,” and the new rule aims to stop that backlash.

In addition, the bill makes it unlawful to sell or publish any portion of the voter list for commercial purposes. Keel clarified the definition, saying, “If somebody’s making money off of you they’re doing it for commercial purposes,” and that political campaign use remains permitted under the Fair Campaign Practices Act.

Ensuring Election Integrity

Keel highlighted his track record on election security, referencing the “ballot harvesting” law he helped pass three years ago. The law, he said, solidified standards for absentee ballots and reinforced Alabama’s tradition of a single‑day election, which he described as “the most secure way that I’ve seen to vote.”

He also praised former Secretary of State Wes Allen for modernizing the voter roll cleaning process, including the adoption of the AVID system and partnerships with other states to keep the roll “clean.” Keel cited a recent case in Russellville where three illegal votes were prosecuted, underscoring the importance of vigilant oversight.

Balancing Transparency with Protection

The conversation turned to the broader debate over voter‑roll transparency. While the data remains publicly available for legitimate campaign purposes, Keel argued that the removal of sensitive identifiers strikes a fair balance. “We want to maintain transparency, but protect citizens in the process,” he said.

Critics, such as Dr. Douglas Frank, have warned that HB 67 could make Alabama’s elections less transparent. Keel countered that the essential information needed for audits—names, addresses, and birth years—remains intact, allowing citizen auditors to continue their work without exposing private details.

Implications for Other States

Alabama’s approach may serve as a model for states wrestling with the dual goals of open data and privacy. By capping costs, eliminating commercial exploitation, and retaining key voter identifiers, the legislation attempts to preserve both democratic participation and individual security.

As the nation watches ongoing debates over voter‑roll access, Alabama’s experiment could influence future policy discussions at the state and national levels.

The full episode of Rightside Media is available on OBBM Network TV.