Arizona voters deserve to know if their personal information on file with the state of Arizona remains safe from identify thieves. If there is any threat to the security of the voter registration database, it deserves not only an investigation but full disclosure of the outcome. Right now, every voter in the state has legitimate reason to at least wonder if their personal information has been compromised. A couple of weeks ago, the FBI investigated a hacking threat against the state’s voter registration database and deemed the threat credible, labeling it an “8 out of 10” on the severity scale. The database contains not only names and addresses but also driver license numbers, partial Social Security numbers and other personal information that identity thieves can match with other partial personal information and commit fraud. As the investigation progressed, the state shut down its voter registration website.
A small uproar came from candidates seeking to qualify for Clean Elections funding. Then what happened? Well, the Secretary of State’s office posted a brief blog item last week saying there was never a real threat and the voter registration website is operating again.
Well, we’re all for not over-reacting, but the announcement goes too far in the other direction. The state needs to make sure voters are fully assured their personal data is safe.
Full Article: Our View: Potential voter data hack gets whimper of an explanation | Opinion | havasunews.com.