For the NC calls:
What types of voters were being targeted?

While our focus is on unmarried women, we have worked to target other under-represented groups in through our project, the Voter Participation Center. Like many other organizations, WVWV focuses on registering unregistered voters across the country from demographic groups that are underrepresented in our democracy. Specifically we target unregistered voters and voters that have previously been registered but have moved and need to reregister. While our focus is unmarried women, we have also worked to motivate African Americans, Hispanics and young people just turning 18 years of age to register.

Since last July WVWV has generated about 400,000 voter registration applications; from coast to coast from underrepresented demographic groups. Already in this period WVWV has successfully encouraged more than 27,000 individuals to register in North Carolina alone.

On what dates were calls being made?

Last Thursday and Friday

What steps are being taken to correct any misinformation? Will WVWV be placing a follow-up set of calls to assure these folks that if they previously registered to vote, they need do nothing else?

We have communicated with the North Carolina State Board of Elections to notify them that WVWV is prepared to work with them to address any confusion that may have resulted from this recent activity. In addition, one of the first things WVWV did after hearing peoples’ concerns was to contact bloggers and others that had gotten in touch with us. We have also worked with the firm that does our mailing to see if there was a way the mailing could be held and not delivered, and to begin a dialogue with folks to clear up any remaining confusion.

We have had significant success in delaying the mail in North Carolina. We understand that a majority of the mail that was going to North Carolina will not be delivered, and our folks are continuing to try to make sure that as much of the NC mail as possible is held until a later date.

Who is Lamont Williams, and why was an African American male voice used for a voter registration drive (presumably) targeted at unmarried women?

Mr. Williams is a professional voice talent. While the primary goal of WVWV is to register unmarried women to vote, the Voter Participation Center, a project of WVWV works to engage other under-represented Americans. There were two recorded calls made. The call from Lamont Williams went to men, and a recorded call from a female was used to contact women.

Why no disclosure on the calls as to your sponsorship of them?

That was a mistake. We regret the error and will ensure it does not happen again.

In general:
What other states have received calls, and when? [what voter pools?]

Prospective registrants received calls in 24 states during the same timeframe. [Last Thursday-Friday.] As stated above WVWV focuses its efforts on registering traditionally underrepresented individuals.

[Added: On February 6-7, more than 4.1 million homes [were contacted] in 22 states: Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington State, and Wisconsin.]

How were the dates for calling determined? Was it in reference to the primary registration deadline or primary election date?

The calls were scheduled to coincide with the arrival of the voter registration applications. We regret any confusion that has arised as a consequence of this timing.

Did the feedback from states like Wisconsin lead to any changes in how WVWV implemented this program?

WVWV always welcomes feedback from those who are tasked with maximizing the number of people that are registered to vote and to get voters to participate in our great democracy. WVWV has made a significant number of changes to its mailings at the request of various state officials and welcomes communication with such officials. We would note that we notify these offices when we are sending the mail. In the case of North Carolina we also issued a press release to tell people that the mailing was coming and that it was intended for the general election, not the primary.

Have WVWV staff members communicated or coordinated in any way with any political campaign in implementing this program?

No