Voter Privacy Programs

There are two programs which allow voter records to be removed from public access: Restricted Records Program and the Address Confidentiality Program.

Individuals who qualify for Restricted Records status under 26 O.S. § 4-115.2  are:

"judiciary, district attorneys, assistant district attorneys, Uniformed Services members, law enforcement personnel and the immediate family of law enforcement personnel, correctional officers, the secretary, assistant secretary, employees, and members of a county election board or the State Election Board, persons who are protected by victim’s protection orders, the spouses and dependents of the members of such classes"

Voters who apply and are approved for Restricted Records status will have their voter registration removed from the following:

• The county election board's central voter file
• The state and county election board’s voter registration management system
• The publicly available Voter Information Request System (VIRS)
• Materials used to request and cast absentee ballots (such as labels for absentee ballot envelopes)

Upon request, voters with Restricted Records status who file for office may have their Declaration of Candidacy restricted from public access.

Voter history for Restricted Records voters is recorded manually and kept in a Restricted Records file.

The voter’s name will still appear in the Precinct Registry, so that he or she may cast his or her ballot in-person; however, the voter’s address will not be printed on the registry.

A limited number of individuals are authorized to view Restricted Records. Those with viewing privileges are County Election Board personnel (for administrative purposes) and a candidate or candidate’s representative or other lawful authority in connection with a contest of candidacy, a contest of election, or a petition signature challenge.

Restricted Records protection does not expire. Once you have been approved for the Restricted Records Program, you may remain on the Restricted Records list indefinitely, even if you retire from your position. You must notify your County Election Board office if you move within the county, change your name, or change your political affiliation.

To apply for the Restricted Records Program contact your County Election Board.

Certain individuals may be eligible for the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) under 22 O.S. § 60.14, which provides broader protection beyond voter registration records.

The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) is designed to offer protection to individuals who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, stalking, and/or who fear for the safety of their children or themselves. Members of the ACP are entitled to conceal their physical residence address for all purposes, including voter registration.

Effective November 1, 2022 - Victims of human trafficking and child abduction will also be eligible for the Address Confidentiality Program. See 22 O.S. § 60.14.

Eligible voters must first register for the ACP. Following entrance to the ACP, individuals must contact the State Election Board office for special voter registration materials. Completed registration forms must be returned to the State Election Board. (They cannot be submitted to a County Election Board.)

Voters registered with the Address Confidentiality Program can only vote by absentee ballot. ACP absentee ballots are delivered to a location designated by the Attorney General.

All ACP voter registration files are securely stored by the State Election Board in paper form. No electronic files are created and no information is ever released to the general public. Voter records of ACP members may only be released by court order. 

Unlike the Restricted Records Program, those approved for the Address Confidentiality Program must reapply for the program every four years.

ACP members must keep their physical residence address on file with the State Election Board to continue voting as an ACP member. If the State Election Board does not receive information from the Attorney General’s office of a renewal of ACP participation, the ACP voter’s information will be removed from the secure file in the State Election Board office after four years.

For more information about the ACP, contact the Attorney General’s office, the local District Attorney’s office, or a DHS caseworker.