Voter registration information is generally confidential in California, but journalists currently have access to data, including details public officials and candidates for an elected office include in registration affidavits. AB 1392 would eliminate that access.
FAC writes that the current access: “[I]s essential for a wide range of important public service journalism, including public corruption reporting. Access to politicians’ voter registration affidavits, including their full residential address, enables journalists to probe their fitness and eligibility for office, in addition to general truthfulness. It allows journalists to perform oversight on newsworthy activities centering on a public official’s home for the duration of their time in office, such as calls for police service or controversial public benefits.
Eliminating the ability of the press to perform its watchdog function hurts all Californians will not be effective in preventing the acts of political violence cited as the reason for this legislation.”