Mississippi’s Secretary of State Michael Watson’s office has been using unverified credit data from Experian to update voter rolls, a move that has resulted in the inactivation of more than 50,000 voters ahead of this year’s congressional primaries, according to Mississippi Today.
The process departs from traditional methods, which rely on verified government data to track voters’ moves. Instead, the state has adopted a commercial approach that uses consumer credit information to determine whether voters have moved or are no longer eligible to vote in their registered precincts.
Critics, including election officials and voting rights advocates, warn that this method lacks safeguards. Voters can be incorrectly marked inactive if their credit data suggests a different address, even if they still reside at the same location. Reports from voters affected by the process indicate some may have been wrongly flagged, which could lead to their removal from the voter rolls if they do not vote in subsequent elections.
State law requires voters to receive minimal notice of inactivation, typically a single mailed card. However, Washington County officials, including District 1 Election Commissioner Jacqueline Thompson, reported additional outreach efforts such as emails, calls, and door knocks to inform voters. Despite these efforts, concerns persist about voters being unaware of their inactive status until they attempt to vote.
Since the rollout of this system in July, the number of inactive voters in Mississippi has nearly doubled, with one in six registered voters now marked inactive. The state also has the highest proportion of inactive voters among its counties, with Wilkinson County reporting a rate of 1 in 5.
Watson has defended the partnership with Experian, claiming it enhances election integrity. However, critics question the reliability of credit data for voter maintenance, highlighting that Experian’s information is not verified residency data. The secretary of state’s office declined to comment on how it ensures data accuracy or trains officials in using the system.
Voter advocates, including Nsombi Lambright of One Voice, argue that the approach makes voting harder for many residents and diminishes access. Mississippi’s use of commercial credit data for voter rolls is among the first in the nation, with other jurisdictions like California and West Virginia exploring similar methods. Still, concerns about errors and lack of oversight remain prominent.
