A proposal would block journalists’ access to politicians’ residential addresses and phone numbers in their voter roll.
Only 7% of LAist readers currently donate to fund our journalism. Help raise that number, so our nonprofit newsroom stays strong in the face of federal cuts. If you're enjoying this article, you'll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report.
Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less.California lawmakers want to limit public access to their addresses and phone numbers after two Minnesota lawmakers were shot, one fatally, in their homes last month. One proposal would ban journalists from accessing that information through candidates’ and public officials’ voter registration records, even though there is no indication the Minnesota shooter used those kinds of records to track down his victims. Officials’ voter registration data is already confidential to most of the public. It is available to a select few, including journalists. Butof La Mesa and sponsored by Secretary of State Shirley Weber’s office, would eliminate that carve-out and effectively block journalists’ access to politicians’ phone numbers, emails and home addresses and prior voter registration.But press freedom advocates say they doubt the measure would protect public officials from violence, arguing it would instead strip journalists of vital information they use to keep government officials in check. Journalists often use a politician's residential address to determine if they “Democracy is founded on the promise of ‘trust but verify.’ We are not required to take the government’s word for it,” said David Loy, legal director of the First Amendment Coalition, which advocates for public access to government documents and proceedings. “We understand the concerns, but this should not deprive the press of its ability to do fundamental watchdog and accountability reporting. Sharp-Collins’ chief of staff Michael Lucien said she did not have time for an interview. Her office also did not respond to questions sent by CalMatters via text about how her measure would protect public officials, or whether she believed anyone had used information obtained from their voter registration to target them., home addresses and records about properties they own, all of which they are required to disclose in their economic interest statements. A“Every single year, we see a number of attempts to limit the public’s access to information and access to their lawmakers in person,” said Brittney Barsotti, general counsel of the California News Publishers Association. “ is just another attempt that is concerning.” Timothy Cromartie, representing Weber’s office, said at a Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendment Committee hearing earlier this month that “escalating threats” to public officials make the measure “an urgent necessity.” He pointed to the slaying of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband last month, thePallbearers carry caskets of slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman, at the Basilica of Saint Mary’s in Minneapolis on June 28, 2025.An earlier version of the measure only applied to state and federal officials. But at the suggestion of the Senate elections committee, it wasto apply to local elected officials and candidates for office and allow the secretary of state’s office to make the information private sooner.prevent tragedies like the Minnesota shootings, where the alleged suspect appeared to have obtained the lawmakers’ home addresses via “people search” sites instead of the voter roll., where those qualified to receive the voter registration information must submit their names and contact information, explain the reason for their request and attest to their honesty under penalty of perjury. “It seems highly unlikely at best that reporters or others able to take advantage of that carve out under those strict conditions are going to commit crimes with that information,” Loy said.Loy said the information not only helps journalists fact check officials’ residency claims, but also allows reporters to identify politicians if they did things such as receiving a home as a gift from special interests, or leasing to or renting property from their major donors.of San Ramon, sought to allow politicians to request businesses, including data brokers and media outlets, to take down or refrain from publishing their personal information, opening the organizations up to lawsuits and fines if they do not comply. An earlier version of the measure risked violating the First Amendment since it could chill and censor legitimate speech, according to a Senate Judiciary Committee analysis. The First Amendment Coalition and the Freedom of the Press Foundation opposed the effort, citing similar concerns, adding that newsrooms could be exposed to frivolous lawsuits simply because politicians do not like stories they publish. “These demands and lawsuits will chill news outlets from reporting on matters of public concern,” the groups said in a. “The fact that news outlets will have to defend their reporting as relating to a matter of public concern, potentially through multiple appeals, will cause some to self-censor.” Bauer-Kahan told CalMatters Monday that her intention was to discourage data brokers from selling politicians’ personal information. She has agreed to amend the measure to instead require the California Privacy Protection Agency to compile a list of politicians and request data brokers to delete their personal information.At a time when trusted news and information are more important than ever, your donation ensures that LAist can continue to serve everyone in our community. Make a powerful statement that you value quality reporting from LAist and safeguard the future of public media today with your gift.Despite three 911 calls, two homebound disabled men died in the Eaton Fire waiting for rescue 911 recordings obtained by LAist shed light on why and how emergency planning continues to leave people with disabilities behind.Full Circle Thrift, a nonprofit thrift store in Altadena, reopened this week, six months after the Eaton Fire devastated the neighborhood.Barnes City was created 100 years ago. And then it disappeared, one of L.A.'s shortest-lived municipalities. What happened to it?Review commissioned by LA homeless agency clears CEO of conflict related to contracts with husband’s employer LAist reported that documents showed Va Lecia Adams Kellum signed a contract and two amendments with Upward Bound House, a Santa Monica-based nonprofit.A check from State Farm to a Los Angeles fire survivor has taken more than a week to clear so far. A bank is concerned about insufficient funds.Fewer people on streets, in shelters after getting LA County homelessness prevention help A new study finds promising early results from a program that tries to find and assist those most at risk of becoming unhoused.Did a complicated 2024 homeless count lead to errors? Experts and some city officials think soThe businesses facing scrutiny in probes surrounding a disgraced OC supervisor
Lawmakers Minnesota Lawmakers Personal Info Personal Information Public Information Security Threats
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
College football recruiting: Oregon bounces back, awaiting the Lyons decisions and big wins in L.A.There are two finalists for the top quarterback prospect in California, and neither are in California.
Read more »
Trump administration to investigate University of California’s hiring practicesLed by California Republican, the DoJ is investigating possible employment discrimination at the University of California.
Read more »
Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor in BioChemistry - Merced, California job with University of California MercedAssistant, Associate, or Full Professor in BioChemistry University of California Merced Position overview Position title: Assistant, Associate or Full Professor in BioChemistry Salary range: The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See Table 1.
Read more »
Did Gov. Gavin Newsom go too far with CEQA reform?California environmentalists are upset with Newsom’s changes to the California Environmental Quality Act.
Read more »
Citing security threats, California lawmakers want to shield their addresses from publicCalifornia lawmakers want to limit public access to their addresses and phone numbers after two Minnesota lawmakers were shot, one fatally, in their homes last month.
Read more »
Citing security threats, California lawmakers want to shield their addresses from publicCalifornia lawmakers are advancing a measure that would curb journalists’ access to their home addresses and contact information through their voter registration records, an attempt watchdog groups say hinders the public’s ability to hold politicians accountable.
Read more »