Voter records offered for sale month ahead of elections

Security researchers say an estimated 35 million voter records from 19 U.S. states have been offered for sale on a dark web online forum.

The researchers said Monday the offering does not mean voter databases have been breached. The records could have been stolen from resellers who buy voter data from states for use by campaigns and get-out-the-vote efforts.

Policies vary by state on who can buy such records, which typically include phone numbers and addresses, sometimes voting histories. Commercial use and publication are generally prohibited.

Andrei Barysevich of Recorded Future says his company was among those that discovered the offerings.

Barysevich says state-backed hackers set on election meddling wouldn’t be selling such data – but rather looking to buy it.

Experts say the main risk is of identity theft.