Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 24 July 2025
Last Updated: 24 July 2025

Democracy Without Elections ("DWE", "we", "our", or "us") operates the website democracywithoutelections.org (the "Site"). We are committed to safeguarding the privacy of our members, donors, volunteers, and visitors ("you" or "your"). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the rights and choices available to you.

1. Information We Collect

  • Identifiers (Name, postal address, email address, telephone number, unique device IDs, IP address)

  • Donation & Payment Data (Donation amounts, payment card last 4 digits, billing address (processed via third‑party payment processors))

  • Voluntary Submissions (Survey responses, petitions, event sign‑ups, inquiries )

  • Usage Data & Cookies (Log files, browser type, pages visited, time on page, referring URLs, cookie and pixel data)

Children’s Data – The Site is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected such data, please contact us immediately.

2. How We Use Your Information

We process personal information to:

  1. Provide and improve the Site and related services.

  2. Manage memberships and volunteer engagement.

  3. Process and acknowledge donations and issue tax receipts.

  4. Send updates, newsletters, and advocacy alerts you request or that may interest you.

  5. Respond to inquiries and provide support.

  6. Analyze Site usage to enhance functionality and security.

  7. Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Use.

3. Legal Bases for Processing (EU / UK GDPR)

Where the General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR") applies, we rely on the following bases:

  • Consent (e.g., marketing emails you opt in to receive).

  • Contractual necessity (e.g., providing member benefits you request).

  • Legal obligation (e.g., bookkeeping, tax, or regulatory requirements).

  • Legitimate interests (e.g., Site security, advocacy, limited analytics) unless those interests are overridden by your rights and interests.

4. Sharing & Disclosure

  • Service Providers – We engage trusted third parties (e.g., payment processors, email service platforms, web‑hosting providers, analytics services) who access information solely to perform services on our behalf and under confidentiality agreements.

  • Legal & Safety – We may disclose information if required by law or to protect the rights, property, or safety of DWE, our users, or the public.

  • No Sale of Personal Data – We do not sell personal information or share it for purposes of cross‑context behavioral advertising.

5. Cookies & Similar Technologies

We use cookies, pixels, and local storage to recognize your browser, improve Site performance, remember preferences, and compile aggregate statistics. You may disable cookies through your browser settings; however, some features of the Site may not function properly.

6. Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes set out in this policy, including satisfying legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. Donation records are typically kept for at least seven (7) years under U.S. nonprofit regulations.

7. Security

We employ administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information against accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorized disclosure, or access. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure; therefore, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Your Rights & Choices

8.1 Global Rights

  • Access / Portability – Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.

  • Correction – Request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information.

  • Deletion – Request deletion of your information, subject to legal exceptions.

  • Objection / Restriction – Object to or request restriction of certain processing.

  • Withdraw Consent – If processing is based on consent, you may withdraw it at any time.

8.2 California (California Consumer Privacy Act and CPRA)

California residents have additional rights to:

  • Know the categories and specific pieces of personal information collected.

  • Delete personal information.

  • Correct inaccurate information.

  • Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information (we do not sell/share as defined).

  • Limit the use of sensitive personal information (we collect none beyond basic contact/donation data).

To exercise any rights, email us at privacy@democracywithoutelections.org or write to the address below. We will verify your identity before fulfilling requests.

9. International Transfers

We are based in the United States. If you are located outside the U.S., your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the U.S. or other jurisdictions with different data‑protection laws. Where required, we implement appropriate safeguards, such as Standard Contractual Clauses.

10. Third‑Party Links

The Site may contain links to external sites or services not operated by DWE. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of such third parties.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will post an updated version on the Site with a revised "Last Updated" date and, where appropriate, provide additional notice.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us below.