SC Election Commission Under Fire: The Alarming Truth About Your Voter Data and the Quest for Accountability

In an age where personal data is a precious commodity, the South Carolina Election Commission (SCEC) finds itself in the eye of a storm, facing intense criticism for its handling of sensitive voter information. What many might not realize is just how easily accessible their names, addresses, birth years, and voting histories are, sitting publicly on the SCEC's website.

This isn't just a minor oversight; it's a potential privacy nightmare, opening doors for identity theft, targeted harassment, and other nefarious activities when combined with other readily available public records.

Adding fuel to this fire is the lingering shadow of a 2012 data breach, a sobering reminder of the very real dangers posed by lax data security.

What makes this particular incident more troubling is the involvement of Howard Knapp, then the SCEC's IT director, who was implicated in the breach yet incredibly remains employed by the commission to this day. A state audit explicitly noted that Knapp had 'circumvented agency security controls' and then 'intentionally erased' his hard drive, obstructing the investigation.

The fact that an individual with such a history continues to be entrusted with the commission's data security responsibilities raises serious questions about accountability and judgment.

This isn't ancient history; the concerns are deeply relevant now. While the commission has stated it's reviewing its data policies, its current stance—particularly under the leadership of Executive Director Marci Andino—comes across as defensive and evasive.

Andino asserts that the commission is prohibited from making voter registration information private, citing state law. However, this interpretation conveniently overlooks that the law permits the commission to regulate the use and dissemination of such data. There's a critical difference between simply providing data and ensuring it's not misused.

The argument that this data is already public ignores the scale and ease of access.

Combining a few pieces of public information, like a voter's address and birth year from the SCEC, with other sources can quickly lead to more sensitive details. The commission's public-facing data provides a convenient one-stop shop for anyone looking to exploit personal information.

It's time for the South Carolina Election Commission to move beyond stonewalling and embrace genuine transparency and responsibility.

The public deserves to know the full truth about the 2012 breach and the decision-making that led to Knapp's continued employment. More importantly, the SCEC must actively pursue ways to restrict access to sensitive voter information, safeguarding citizens' privacy without hindering legitimate electoral processes.

Restoring public trust in our election system starts with protecting the very voters it serves.