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Ballotpedia:How we verify Candidate Connection survey responses
Identity confirmation process overview
Ballotpedia wants voters to have the information they need to feel confident at the polls. In order to provide additional details about candidates, we allow candidates to submit information that we can include on their profile. Ballotpedia has steps in place to verify the identity of these candidates.
We first implemented a verification process in February 2020. The process as it is described below was implemented in July 2022. We reserve the right to ask for additional verification as we feel necessary.
If neither of the options below are possible, please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org for further instruction.
Please note that Ballotpedia will refuse to publish illegitimate surveys, such as those submitted by bots or people who cannot legally run for the office in question.
Photo verification mobile app
We verify identity by obtaining a digitally verified picture of the candidate's photo identification card using the mobile app Vision by Truepic. Candidates receive a text message with a unique link to download the app, and take a photo of their ID using the app. We have partnered with Truepic to offer this service to candidates as a convenient and secure verification method.
We'll accept the following types of identification:
- Driver’s license
- Other state ID
- Military ID
- Employee ID
- Passport
- Student ID
- Tribal ID
This information is for Ballotpedia's internal use only and will not be published publicly.
Other options
If a candidate does not have a smartphone, they may post a public tweet from the candidate's active, official campaign X account. The tweet should tag @ballotpedia and confirm the candidate's completion of the survey. Active campaign accounts must have the following elements at the time of completion:
- A profile photo of the candidate
- A mention of the person's candidacy in the biography
- A header image
- At least 4 posts
- Must have been an active campaign account for at least one month prior
Why does Ballotpedia have this process?
In January 2020, it came to Ballotpedia's attention that someone had submitted a false Candidate Connection survey.[1] Within two days we had tested and rolled out a policy to prevent people from impersonating candidates and submitting inaccurate responses. This is the second version of that policy. As a trusted voter resource, it's important that Ballotpedia ensure the information on the site is accurate. We appreciate each candidate's help in making that happen!
Disclaimer
Thank you for your interest in completing Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection questionnaire! Please note the following conditions of this service.
Candidates can use the questionnaire to submit content to Ballotpedia. The questionnaire must be submitted by the actual candidate or a qualified campaign representative. We must verify that the person submitting the questionnaire is the actual candidate or qualified campaign representative. We verify candidate identities with the Truepic Vision mobile app, with which we have partnered. You can read more about that here.
When using the mobile app, candidates are requested to upload a picture of their photo ID. We accept driver’s licenses, passports, military IDs, student IDs, employee IDs, or tribal IDs. In order to ensure we can access the information if needed, the ID will remain stored on a secure server for six months after the November general election in a given cycle. After that time, the ID will be deleted from the server.
Candidates are not required to verify their identity, but Ballotpedia will not upload responses for which we do not receive sufficient identity verification. If a candidate who submitted a questionnaire for one election cycle submits a new survey for the next election, the candidate will be required to resubmit identification, to which these conditions apply.
Ballotpedia will use information submitted in the survey in other sections of the candidate profile. Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit candidate survey responses and retains discretion over which information to use for other sections of Ballotpedia pages. You can read more about that here. Any edits to the survey made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked as such to the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org.
Footnotes
