What is the real purpose of these ads? Shaming people into voting if they think that their “friends and family” will look up their information to see whether they actually voted? How often they vote? Future employers can also check, as can landlords, creditors, work colleagues, and stalkers.

@cassandra17lina

I don't even know if it's true that "friends and family" can just look it up. "Public record" isn't the same as "readily available to the general public." Politicians, PACs, etc pay to get that information, and they are certainly shelling out for that info, but friends and family?

We get postcards that say "Your vote is secret, but the fact you voted is public." Hubs is like, "Is this some sort of scam or threat?" I explained it's true info, but am befuddled by the motive.

@cassandra17lina

You might find this article interesting, about those postcards saying groups/people knowing that you voted. Apparently hubs wasn't the only one to think they sounded threatening. And it's possible that tone makes them illegal in some states.

https://marylandmatters.org/2024/10/31/state-orders-halt-to-mailings-that-left-voters-intimidated-shocked-and-ill-at-ease/

@misterfive Thank you for posting this. The mailing definitely left me uneasy.

@cassandra17lina

Yeah, it sounded like they were just trying to get out the vote, but it does seem very misguided to me, especially in our current political climate.

@cassandra17lina

I still think your friends and family can't just go look up whether you voted. Certainly not in the states I've lived in.

@misterfive @cassandra17lina
They can see what you are registered as, and if you voted. Not how you voted. At least in NC.