How to Redact Personal Information in Campaign Finance Reports - TRACER

Most candidates don't think about this until it's too late - your personal information.

Once you start filing campaign finance reports in TRACER your personal information becomes public record.

Sounds crazy, right? But it's true.

Your address, phone number, all that stuff can be out there for anyone to see.

But don't panic.

There's a way to remove this info from public records.

Here’s how.

What Is Redaction?

It's just a fancy word for hiding information. You've probably seen those documents with big black bars covering parts of the text.

That's redaction.

In Colorado (and many other places), you can ask the government to redact your personal info from campaign finance reports.

It's like you're saying, "Hey, I want to participate in democracy, but I don't want creeps knowing where I live."

Who Can Request Redaction?

According to Campaign and Political Finance Rule 20 , anyone can ask for redaction if they think having their information out there might put them or their family in danger.

What Information Can Be Redacted?

Mostly, we're talking about your home address and phone number. That's the easy stuff. Anything beyond that, and you'll need a really good reason. The government's not trying to be difficult; they're just balancing privacy with the public's right to know.

Generally, the Colorado Secretary of State's office will approve requests related to:

1. Residential information

2. Contact information (e.g., phone numbers)

Anything beyond that, and you'll need to go thorough a review process.

The government's not trying to be difficult; they're just balancing privacy with the public's right to know.

How to Request a Redaction?

To request redaction of sensitive information:

1. Submit an application to the Colorado Secretary of State's office ([email protected]).

2. Include in your application:

   • Your name

   • What information you want redacted (residential & contact info)

   • The justification (privacy concern)

   • Which campaign finance reports need redaction (past & future)

The Redaction Process

Upon receiving a redaction request:

1. The Secretary of State's office will review the application.

2. If good cause is found, they will redact the minimum amount of sensitive information necessary to protect you and your immediate family.

Here’s the caveat: even if they redact your information from the online version, the original, unredacted report still exists as a public record.

It's just harder to access.

Legal Basis

This redaction process is based on:

• Campaign and Political Finance Rule 20

• Section 18-9-313 of the Colorado Revised Statutes

Confidentiality of Redaction Requests

Here's a cool thing: your request for redaction is itself kept private.

It's not subject to open records laws.

So you don't have to worry about people finding out that you asked for privacy.