Privacy Policy

Friends of Wesam Shahed
Last Updated: November 21, 2025

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

Friends of Wesam Shahed ("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, sign up for our SMS messaging program, volunteer with our campaign, or otherwise interact with our services.

Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information:

Contact Information:

  • Name

  • Phone number

  • Email address

  • Mailing address

  • ZIP code

Demographic Information:

  • Age

  • Occupation

  • Employer (required for FEC compliance on donations)

Technical Information:

  • IP address

  • Browser type

  • Device information

  • Website usage data through cookies and similar technologies

Volunteer and Engagement Information:

  • Volunteer preferences and availability

  • Event attendance

  • Communication preferences

  • Donation history

How We Collect Your Information

We collect information through various methods:

Direct Collection:

  • When you fill out forms on our website (votewesam.com)

  • When you sign up for our SMS messaging program

  • When you subscribe to our email list

  • When you make a donation

  • When you volunteer or attend campaign events

  • When you contact us directly via email or phone

Automated Collection:

  • Through cookies and tracking technologies when you visit our website

  • Through analytics tools that help us understand how visitors use our site

Third-Party Sources:

  • Publicly available voter registration data

  • Information from partner organizations (with your consent)

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Send you campaign updates, announcements, and news via SMS, email, or mail

  • Provide information about volunteer opportunities

  • Send event invitations and reminders

  • Share voting information, including polling locations and election dates

  • Process and acknowledge donations

  • Comply with federal election law reporting requirements

  • Improve our website and services

  • Analyze campaign engagement and effectiveness

  • Respond to your inquiries and requests

SMS Messaging Program

Opt-In:
When you provide your mobile phone number and consent to receive text messages, you will receive recurring automated marketing messages from Friends of Wesam Shahed. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply.

Opt-Out:
You can opt out of receiving SMS messages at any time by texting STOP to any message you receive from us. After texting STOP, you will receive one final confirmation message. For help, text HELP or contact us at team@votewesam.com.

Mobile Information Protection:
We will not sell, rent, or otherwise share your mobile phone number or mobile opt-in information with third parties for promotional or marketing purposes. Mobile opt-ins are excluded from third-party sharing for marketing purposes.

How We Share Your Information

We Do Not Sell Your Personal Information.
We will not sell, rent, or otherwise share your personal data to third parties for promotional or marketing purposes without your explicit consent.

We May Share Information With:

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

  • SMS messaging services (Hustle)

  • Email communications

  • Payment processing for donations

  • Website hosting and analytics

  • Voter contact tools

These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and may only use it to perform services on our behalf.

Legal Requirements:
We may disclose your information when required by law, including:

  • Compliance with Federal Election Commission (FEC) reporting requirements for donations

  • Response to subpoenas, court orders, or legal processes

  • Protection of our rights, property, or safety, or that of others

  • Investigation of fraud or security issues

With Your Consent:
We may share your information with other organizations or for other purposes when you explicitly authorize us to do so.

FEC Reporting Requirements

Federal law requires us to collect and report certain information about donations, including:

  • Name

  • Address

  • Occupation

  • Employer

This information may be disclosed to the Federal Election Commission and will become part of the public record.

Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security measures designed to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no internet transmission or electronic storage method is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

  • Fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy

  • Comply with legal obligations, including FEC record-keeping requirements

  • Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements

You may request deletion of your information by contacting us at team@votewesam.com, subject to our legal obligations to retain certain records.

Your Privacy Rights

Right to Access:
You may request access to the personal information we hold about you.

Right to Correction:
You may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.

Right to Deletion:
You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal retention requirements.

Right to Opt-Out:
You may opt out of:

  • SMS messages by texting STOP

  • Email communications by clicking "unsubscribe" in any email

  • Phone calls by requesting removal from our call list

To exercise these rights, contact us at team@votewesam.com.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to:

  • Remember your preferences

  • Analyze website traffic and usage patterns

  • Improve user experience

You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. Disabling cookies may limit some website functionality.

Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including social media platforms and donation processing sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to our website. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Friends of Wesam Shahed
PO Box 1501
Bridgeview, IL 60455
Email: team@votewesam.com
Website: votewesam.com

For SMS-related inquiries, text HELP to our messaging number or email team@votewesam.com.

Your privacy matters to us. By using our services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.