First Responder Voter Registration Record Confidentiality

Beginning January 1, 2026, an elector or the spouse of an elector who is or has been a peace officer, firefighter, volunteer firefighter, emergency medical service provider, or other individual who responds to a public safety emergency (first responder) may request that the address included in the following records concerning the first responder be kept confidential (address confidentiality):

• Voter registration records in the custody of a county clerk and recorder; and
• Voter registration records in the centralized statewide registration system maintained by the secretary of state (secretary).

A first responder may request address confidentiality on the electronic voter registration form or record created by the secretary. The secretary is required to ensure that the electronic voter registration form and an elector's voter registration record includes a place for a first responder to indicate that they are a first responder and request address confidentiality. The secretary is also required to ensure that when a first responder indicates on their voter registration form or record that they are requesting address confidentiality, the first responder is automatically directed to an electronic application form that requests certain information to allow the secretary to implement the address confidentiality request.

The secretary is required to provide a copy of each completed application to the clerk and recorder of the county where the first responder is registered to vote for the purpose of implementing address confidentiality for the records maintained by the county clerk and recorder.

The secretary is prohibited from charging a fee in connection with a first responder's request for address confidentiality.

The custodian of any voter registration records that concern a first responder who has requested address confidentiality is required to deny the right of inspection of the first responder's address contained in the records on the ground that disclosure would be contrary to the public interest.

A first responder's request for address confidentiality is not a public record subject to public inspection.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)