Purchase Information

Voter registration information is not public data and state laws govern how and by whom voter registration information may be used.

Voter File Codes and Regulations

• California Elections Code 2188. Application for voter registration information [External]
• California Elections Code 2194. Access to voter registration information; Limited Confidentiality [External]
• Elections Code 18109. Misuse of Information; Misdemeanor [External]
• Government Code 7924. Voter Information; Confidentiality [External]
• California Code of Regulations Title 2, Division 7, Chapter 1, Article 1. Access To Voter Registration Information [External]

Instructions for Purchasing Voter Information

Please carefully read the following instructions to request the voter information or a specific voter’s registration information.

1. Applicant must complete and return the following form:
   • Sonoma County Application to Purchase Voter Registration Information [PDF]

Mail or return the application in person to: Sonoma County Registrar of Voters at 435 Fiscal Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. Emailed and faxed applications are not accepted.

2. The application must include a clear copy of the applicant’s current driver license or state identification card.
3. Fees must be paid prior to any reports/data being run or provided. Fees may be paid either by cash, credit card, check or money order and should be made payable to “Sonoma County Registrar of Voters”. Online credit card payment is available, contact us for instructions. See fee schedule below.
4. Applicant must provide as much detailed information as possible for the specified use of the voter registration records.
   • Election:information identifying the candidate(s) or ballot measure(s) and documentation establishing affiliation with the organization
     • Candidate: information identifying federal, state, or local office
     • Committee for/against any initiative or referendum measure: information identifying the initiative or referendum for which legal publication is made
   • Academic/Scholarly: letter from a representative of the institution (professor, administrator, etc.) on the institution’s letterhead stating that the applicant is authorized to receive the data
   • Journalistic/Media: a clear photocopy of press pass
   • Political: documentation establishing affiliation with the political organization
   • Governmental: Any request from a governmental agency or for a use related to a governmental function
5. The application must include an original/wet signature

Specific voter record request

Applicant must provide sufficient details of why a specific voter’s information is needed and how it will be used in conformance with California Code of Regulations sections 19001-19009. Applicant must provide as much detail as possible about the voter whose record they are trying to obtain (first name, last name, date of birth, residence address, etc.) in the designated area of the application. The Sonoma County Registrar of Voters will reach out to the applicant if there are not sufficient details to locate a single voter record. Applicant can request up to 10 specific voter records per application.

Processing time

Requests will be processed in the order received. While we make every effort to process your order as expeditiously as possible, during an election cycle we ask that you contact our office at (707) 565-6818 or (707) 565-6812 to discuss scheduling.

The Sonoma County Registrar of Voters will determine whether the application is complete and whether state law permits the proposed use of the voter registration information. If the application is denied, we will contact the applicant explaining why the request was denied and return all application materials.

Data format

If the application is approved, County or District Voter requests are distributed by download from a secure file sharing site. The data is provided as tab-delimited text files. PLEASE NOTE: the files contain only active voters at the time the data was extracted.

Specific voter record requests will be provided as a redacted paper copy or PDF image.

End use

Once the requested information is received, the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters is not responsible for end-user technical support for processing data (text) files that are purchased and does not provide training or assistance on converting the data for usage. Once the voter registration information has been sent to the applicant, no refunds will be issued.

Authorized/Prohibited use

State law strictly governs how voter record data may be used. Use of the data is only authorized for the purpose approved on the application.

Prohibitions

• Using the data for an unapproved purpose;
• Sharing or transferring the data to any other party without the submission of a new application and the express written approval of the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters;
• Using the data to harass any voter or voter’s household;
• Using the data for any commercial, advertising, or marketing purposes; or
• Leaving the voter data unsecured and publicly available online or offline.

A violation of the above constitutes a misdemeanor, subject to significant fines. (Elections Code section 18109)

Fee Schedule

Additional Information

For additional information, contact the County of Sonoma Registrar of Voters Mapping and Computer Services Division by phone at (707) 565-6820 or by email at rov-materials@sonoma-county.org.