Privacy Policy

Michele Binkleyfor Legislature ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website curtiscochran.com and interact with our campaign.

Effective Date: 1/23/2026
Last Updated: 1/23/2026

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

We collect information you voluntarily provide with:

Political Contributions:

• Full name and address
• Occupation and employer information
• Phone number and email address
• Payment information (processed securely by third-party providers)
• Contribution amount and date

Volunteer Activities:

• Contact information (name, address, phone, email)
• Areas of interest and availability
• Skills and experience relevant to campaign activities

Newsletter and Communications:

• Email address
• Name (optional)
• Communication  preferences

Contact Forms:

• Name and contact information
• Message content and any information you choose to share

Information Collected Automatically

Website Analytics:

• IP address and general location information
• Browser type and version
• Device information
• Pages visited and time spent on site
• Referring website information
• Date and time of visits

Cookies and Tracking:

• Session cookies for website functionality
• Analytics cookies to understand website usage
• Social media tracking pixels (Facebook, Google)

2. How We Use Your Information

Campaign Operations

• Processing and recording political contributions
• Coordinating volunteer activities and events
• Sending campaign updates and newsletters
• Responding to inquiries and requests
• Managing voter outreach efforts

Legal Compliance

• Meeting Montana campaign finance disclosure requirements
• Complying with Federal Election Commission regulations
• Maintaining required campaign records
• Reporting contributions as required by law

Website Improvement

• Analyzing website traffic and user behavior
• Improving website functionality and user experience
• Optimizing content and campaign messaging

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

Required Legal Disclosures

Montana Campaign Finance Law:
Contributor information (name, address, occupation, employer, contribution amount) is disclosed in campaign finance reports filed with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices and becomes part of public record.

Public Records:

• Contributions over $35 are reported and become public record
• Contributor  information may appear in publicly available campaign finance reports
• Information may be published by news media and government transparency organizations

Authorized Campaign Use

Campaign Staff and Volunteers:

• Authorized personnel access information needed for campaign activities
• All staff and volunteers are trained on privacy and confidentiality      requirements

Service Providers:
We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist with:

• Payment processing (credit card companies, banks)
• Email marketing services (MailChimp, Constant Contact)
• Website hosting and analytics (Wix, Google Analytics)
• Voter database services

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for specified campaign purposes.

We Do Not Sell Personal Information

We never sell, rent, or trade personal information to commercial third parties for marketing purposes.

4. Data Security

Security Measures

• SSL encryption for all data transmission
• Secure servers with regular security updates
• Limited access to personal information on need-to-know basis
• Regular  security audits and monitoring
• Secure disposal of physical and electronic records

Payment Security

• Credit card information is processed through PCI-compliant payment processors
• We do not store complete credit card numbers on our servers
• All financial transactions use industry-standard encryption

Limitations

While we implement strong security measures, no internet transmission or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but are committed to protecting your information using industry best practices.

5. Your Rights and Choices

Email Communications

• Opt-out:  Unsubscribe from emails at any time using the link in any email
• Preferences:  Update communication preferences by contacting the campaign
• Frequency: Control how often you receive campaign updates

Information Access and Correction

• Access:  Request a copy of personal information we have about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
• Deletion:  Request deletion of information (subject to legal retention requirements)

Contribution Information

Note: Contribution information required to be reported under Montana law cannot be deleted from public records, even if you request removal from our internal systems.

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Types of Cookies Used

• Essential  Cookies: Required for website functionality
• Analytics  Cookies: Help us understand website usage (Google Analytics)
• Social Media Cookies: Enable sharing and social media integration

Managing Cookies

• Most browsers allow you to control cookies through settings
• You can disable cookies, though some website features may not function      properly
• Third-party opt-out tools are available for advertising cookies

Do Not Track

Our website does not respond to "Do Not Track" browser settings, but you can control tracking through cookie settings and third-party opt-out tools.

7. Third-Party Links and Services

Our website may contain links to social media platforms, news sites, and other external websites. This privacy policy applies only to our website and campaign activities. Third-party sites have their own privacy policies, and we encourage you to review them.

Social Media:

• Facebook, Instagram, Twitter integration
• Social media platforms may collect information about your visit
• Review platform privacy policies for details about their data practices

8. Children's Privacy

Our website and services are not directed to children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. Montana law prohibits political contributions from individuals under 18.

9. Montana-Specific Privacy Rights

As a Montana-based campaign, we comply with all applicable Montana privacy and campaign finance laws, including:

• Montana Campaign Finance Laws (Title 13, Chapter 37, MCA)
• Montana Consumer Protection Act privacy provisions
• Montana Right to Know laws

10. Data Retention

Campaign Records:

• Contribution records: Maintained per Montana law requirements (typically 4 years)
• Volunteer information: Retained through current election cycle plus required retention period
• Email  communications: Maintained for campaign duration plus legal requirements

Website Data:

• Analytics  data: Retained for 26 months (Google Analytics default)
• Website  logs: Retained for 12 months for security purposes

11. International Users

Our campaign operates within the United States and is subject to U.S. laws. Montana and federal law prohibit political contributions from foreign nationals.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this privacy policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. We will:

• Post the updated policy on our website
• Update the "Last Updated" date
• Notify subscribers via email for significant changes

Continued use of our website after changes indicates acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Information

Michele Binkley for Montana HD 85 (R), P.O. Box 1601 Hamilton, MT  59840

michele@binkleyformontana.com 

(406) 381-8615

14. Legal Compliance Contacts

Montana Commissioner of Political Practices
P.O. Box 202401
Helena, MT 59620-2401
Phone: (406) 444-2942
Website: politicalpractices.mt.gov

For campaign finance report access and contributor information inquiries.

15. Effective Date and Acknowledgment

This privacy policy is effective as of 1/23/2026. By using our website, making a contribution, or providing information to our campaign, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this privacy policy.