A good list can translate into less money spent for signatures and confidence during the qualification phase. Unfortunately, obtaining a usable voter file is often difficult and complex. This is due to the number of sources, mismatched formats and legal issues that must be successfully resolved. Only then can acquisition of the data start. The first step is to know who and where to get the file from.
Many states require that voter data be acquired by county and, in some instances, by township.
In several states voter files are only available to party officials. In other states, lists must be acquired by purchasing them from party officials. Seventy percent of state voter files are ordered directly from state or county election offices. In many states, such as Ohio, voter files can be purchased from the state or from individual counties. This takes place before the files can be converted into one usable format.