Mailer outs residents' voting records

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Some voters in Central Florida counties are upset after receiving mailers showing their voting record.

It claims to be a Florida state voter report by a group called Concerned Citizens for America’s Future.

It reads in part, “We’re sending this mailing to publicize who does and does not vote.”

It goes on to say the list will be updates and mailed after the primary election so, “People you know will all know who voted and who did not vote.”

It then lists several other neighbors, their addresses and their voting history.

One woman, who asked not to be identified, said she had no idea her name was listed until Channel 9 reporter Racquel Asa told her.

“That’s creepy,” she said.

A watchdog group out of the national’s capitol called Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or CREW, tracked down the mailer to a Washington, D.C.-based group.

Based on a business filing given to Asa by CREW, the group listed on the return label is affiliated with an attorney out of New York City.

“It’s perfectly legal,” said Seminole County supervisor of elections Mike Ertel.

Ertel said the information is all public record, and he’s heard of the mailer showing up in neighboring Orange, Osceola and Polk counties, but not his.

He said it’s only a matter of time.

“Believe me. No matter where you live in the state of Florida, this mailer is coming to you in some form or another this year,” Ertel said.

The New York City attorney associated with Concerned Citizens for America’s Future did not return Asa’s calls.

Cox Media Group