It's just random

I sent public records requests to all the large counties in Oregon. I have several projects that I'm working on and am interested in voter lists. While I am working with someone to aquire a list from at least one county, I thought that it would be interesting to show you the inconsistency between elections agencies in different counties.

My request:

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to Oregon's Public Records laws (ORS 192.420) I am requesting, in electronic form, a list of all registered voters in [fill in the blank] County. Thank you in advance for your prompt reply.

Sincerely,
Daniel [my last name]

Clackamas:
I've attached a link to the price list for extracting our data files. Our countywide file is a flat $200.

Clatsop:
We can provide this. However, we do charge to produce this list at acost of $17.50 (in electronic form). Please submit this to our officewith your request.

Polk:
The file costs $50. Payment must accompany a written request. Youmust also state that the information will be used for political purposes only.

Crook:
Voter lists are readily available upon receipt of a written request containing the statement “any information in the list will not be used for commercial purposes” (ORS 247.955) along with a check in the amount of $35.00 (ORS 247.940) made payable to “Crook County Clerk”.

Multnomah:
LINK

Klamath:
I will be happy to provide the information you requested. The fee is $25.00 and your request will be provided within 7 days of receipt.

Deschutes:
The set-up fee is $25 and the charge for your list would be $254.37 (84,790 active voters in Deschutes County), for a total of $279.37.

Baker:
If you wish to purchase the registered voters' list the fee's areas follows....
Registered Voters' List $165.00

Lane:
Attached is a job request order form. Sign and date it and return it to us with a check or money order payable to Lane County Elections in the amount of $198.62, to cover the cost of the list plus a CD media charge. You can reduce your cost by $5, down to $193.62, by supplying us with a new PC format CD-R type CD.

Coos:
Thank you for your request for a copy of Coos County's registered voters. There is a fee of $125.00 for a full copy of our registered voters and, under ORS 247.955, this list cannot be used for commercial purposes.

Columbia:
Email has confidentiality clause. Hint: doesn't cost very much.

Benton:
Please, complete the attached data order form and return it to this office along with the required payment.

Why can I get a voter list from one county for $17.50 but in another it costs $279.37 in another? Is there any consitency?

ORS 192.440 states: The public body may establish fees reasonably calculated to reimburse it for its actual cost in making such records available including costs for summarizing, compiling or tailoring such record, either in organization or media, to meet the person’s request.

Do elections workers in some counties make minimum wage and others get paid 90K a year? Are they handwriting these lists? I can copy you and list of files on my computer in about 5 minutes and put it on CD or DVD. How could I justify charging $280?

The government has one definition for "reasonable" when it comes to a 13-year old's ability to pay for an abortion (any cost is too high) and another for members of the public to have access to records that should be produced on demand by law.