Door-to-door canvassing not associated with County Elections Office

Clark County Elections Office does not go door-to-door to gather voter information and it does not have any jurisdiction to authorize groups to do so

VANCOUVER ‒ The Clark County Auditor’s Office is aware of door-to-door canvassing by the “Clark County Voter Research Project.”

These canvases are not associated with the Clark County Elections Office. Additionally, the Clark County Elections Office does not go door-to-door to gather voter information. The Elections Office does not have any jurisdiction to authorize groups to do so.

“I understand this kind of canvassing can be concerning to voters,” said Greg Kimsey, Clark County auditor. “Voters are under no obligation to provide information to someone who comes to their door asking about their voter registration information.”

“These are not Clark County employees,” Kimsey said.

Canvassing for and with voter information is legal under state law. While some voter registration information (such as name, address, whether you voted in an election) is public record, what you confirm to someone at your door is up to you. Your response is completely voluntary.

“It is perfectly within your right to refuse to answer any questions from someone you do not know and/or trust,” Kimsey said.

Anybody claiming to know which candidates or issues you voted for is not telling the truth. All ballots are completely secret because your ballot is separated from any identifying information before it is counted. Even elections officials do not know how you voted, let alone third parties. No Clark County Elections employee will ever ask you who you voted for.

Clark County Elections is diligent in maintaining the voter rolls for the 321,700 registered voters in the county. Employees look to multiple sources (including the Social Security Administration, the state Department of Licensing and the United States Postal Service) to keep that information as up to date as possible.

A process to challenge voter registrations already exists. Any registered voter can challenge another’s voter registration if they believe the voter does not meet the requirements to be a registered voter or their voter registration information is not correct.

If you want to update your voter registration record, you can do so online at VoteWA.gov or give the Elections Office a call at (564) 397-2345.

Information provided by Clark County Elections Department.