When organizations sign our service agreement, they also sign an addendum giving Universe permission to request voter data for them on their behalf. Usually this is filled out to the Board of Elections or Secretary of State wherever they are running their campaign.

How to check if Universe already has data for an organizer’s area:

• Check the clients list in our CRM to see if we are currently working with any other candidates or organizers in that area.
• Check the backend in Universe (FILL IN INSTRUCTIONS)

Requesting Data

The process for requesting voter data is, sadly, unique to each state, county, or municipality.

If we’re bringing on someone in an area we’re not already servicing clients in, the best way to find out the process to get their data is to:

1. Check this list of statewide voter files categorized by level of restriction, and price to get an idea of what you’re dealing with:

   Available_Voter_File_Information.pdf

2. If it is a statewide race, click the state name link in that PDF to be taken to the Secretary of State’s website and the specific section on acquiring state voter data.

   1. If we are bringing on, or planning to bring on, multiple campaigns in one area, we will sometimes cover the cost of acquiring the state data file since we can theoretically use it for all candidates in that area. We may also cover it if the cost is quite low. Otherwise, we will pass on the cost of acquiring the data to the candidate.

3. If it is a countywide or more local race, visit the county, municipality or city government’s website and try to find information about how to request the data file.