In this post last week, I mentioned the decision by the Democratic Party in 2005 to deny access to the voter file for anyone challenging an incumbent. In the comments, Not Larry Sabato mentioned that he thought the policy had been changed. Ben was correct. According to a memo dated 2/17/06, access to the voter file, including voting history, will be provided to candidates who are running against an incumbent, provided certain qualifications are met. This new policy was adopted at the State Central Committee meeting on 2/10/06.
(I recall now that there was a change to the access at that meeting (which was around the same time as the JJ Dinner) but what I remember was the portion related to candidates running for non-partisan local offices, such as city council. There was a problem with a local person providing, on their own, access to the file. The new rules require the permission of the local committee.)
I am quite pleased that the Democratic Party has seen fit to change the rule and allow candidates challenging an incumbent access to the voter file.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Vivian, Thank you for providing this story because I wasn’t aware that that prohibition/policy existed. Curious….are these “policies” now part of the Party Plan?
I’ve been dissatisfied with the lack of openness of and communication from the new DPVA staff. If you don’t go to a local committee meeting you never find out anything. (And I’m sorry to say that my local committee leaders don’t pass much of anything on to the grunts.) There isn’t much on the new DPVA website that gives one an insite into what is going on at DPVA, what happened at state level meetings, etc. And I never get an e-mail update on anything from them….and I’ve “signed up” at their new website!
I’m growing more and more to believe that the Democratic Party of Virginia is for the elitists and those few in the know. And since there isn’t a DPVA blog (at least I can’t find it), communication has all but dried up.
One more thing, Vivian…. Your site is fantastic. In your left column, you give us so much information that other blogs don’t, eg, websites of candidates who are running this year. In fact, I think you’ve beaten the DPVA on this one, at least the last time I looked there.
Thank you again for the great job you are doing in keeping us informed besides giving us a place to talk!!!!!
Sleepless – thanks for your kind words. I try very hard to provide as much info as I can. And because I don’t have a pot of money, I can at least help the candidates by linking to their sites and letting people know about them.
As for the new DPVA site – I haven’t had much time to look at it, with tax season and all.