Libertarian Web effort seems limited to Maricopa
By Sarah Garrecht Gassen
The Arizona Daily Star
``I'm shocked and appalled'' at the move to publish such information, said Peter Schmerl, state chairman of the Arizona Libertarian Party Inc. ``This is everything we do not stand for as a party.
``A fundamental tenet of our philosophy is privacy, and people have given private information to the government as a public trust. I think there should be some hurdles to get this information.''
Schmerl said he knew of no effort in Pima County to post the information.
This is where things get tricky.
Two groups claim to represent the roughly 16,000 Arizona voters who register as Libertarian: the Arizona Libertarian Party and the Arizona Libertarian Party Inc.
They have been battling in court for legitimacy for almost five years, although a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled last month that the Arizona Libertarian Party is the legitimate organizing unit. The opposing group is reviewing the court decision to decide whether to appeal.
Ernie Hancock is the driving force behind the Internet information campaign. He's the Maricopa County chairman for the Arizona Libertarian Party, which does not have a Pima County chapter.
Neither Hancock nor his attorney could be reached yesterday for comment.
Maricopa County Elections Director Karen Osborne has said she will fight Hancock's effort in court.
Pima County Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez agreed, and said she would oppose any effort to post voter registration information on the Internet, even though it is available in her office on a walk-in basis.
``People entrust us that this information is strictly used for political purposes,'' Rodriguez said. ``It should not be used for an invasion of privacy, solicitation or God knows what.''
Hancock has said in reports the Internet postings would include a disclaimer stating the information is only to be used for political purposes.
The Pima County Recorder's Office provides political parties with updated voter rolls quarterly. The parties often then sell the information to candidates who use it for campaigning.