Candidate survey · Mosquito Control Seat 4 (St. Johns)

Jason Smith

Anastasia Mosquito Control Commissioner

answered october 11, 2026

PART 1: YES / NO POSITIONS

1. Do you support ending the warrantless collection of American citizens' data and communications under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)?
Yes
2. Will you oppose any legislation or executive directive that mandates tech companies to build "backdoors" into end-to-end encrypted messaging services for law enforcement?
Yes
3. Do you support a complete ban on law enforcement agencies purchasing Americans' private location, browsing, and personal data from commercial data brokers without a judicial warrant?
Yes
4. Do you support a full legislative repeal of the bulk data collection authorities originally granted under the USA PATRIOT Act?
Yes
5. Do you support a total ban on the use of biometric facial recognition surveillance technologies by local law enforcement and municipal agencies in public spaces?
No
6. Will you vote to prohibit or dismantle localized networks of automated license plate readers that log, track, and store the daily travel histories of citizens who are not suspected of a crime?
No
7. Do you oppose the integration of local private security cameras into centralized, real-time police monitoring networks without explicit, case-by-case owner consent?
Yes
8. Will you vote against the funding or utilization of predictive policing software that uses algorithmic data modeling to preemptively target specific neighborhoods?
No
9. Do you support a mandatory local ordinance requiring police departments to obtain explicit city council approval and hold public hearings before deploying any new surveillance technology?
Yes

PART 2: DETAILED POLICY STANCE

10. The Balance of Power: Where do you draw the line between a government's duty to protect public safety and its constitutional obligation to respect the privacy of its citizens? Please explain your overarching political stance on mass surveillance, and justify why you believe your approach aligns with the core principles of a free society.

First let me begin by stating that a requirement of “YES or NO” of these questions with the option of being publicly labeled “Refused to answer directly” leaves no room for any reasonable middle positions. In running for the elected position of the Anastasia Mosquito Control Commissioner, I would have very little to no influence over the surveillance of American citizens in St. Johns County. Surveillance of mosquitos? Yes, for public health. Surveillance of people? No. Since Mass Surveillance and Constitutional Rights are much more complex than simple YES or NO answers, I will state why I answered NO on several questions on this questionnaire. 5. It has been established that biometric tools, including facial recognition technology have assisted in solving major crimes, including kidnappings and murders. Facial recognition technology can be used as a tool, and investigative lead, which should always require independent confirmation. Guardrails should be in place. If any of our love ones were abducted, you can bet the families of the victim would want any possible technological tools to be utilized, including license plate readers. 6. Will I vote to prohibit license plate readers? I answered No, because it goes beyond to scope of what a Mosquito Control Commissioner does. That said, I do believe in a middle ground for LPR networks. This technology is useful to law enforcement. But it doesn’t have to be deployed every three miles and on every street corner. 8. Vote against the funding or use of predictive policing software. Again as a candidate for Mosquito Control Commissioner this would be beyond my scope or jurisdiction. I believe that law enforcement should have tools available that protect citizens proactively. A free society depends on both public safety and meaningful limits on government power. There is a balance, it is not all or nothing, nor is it one size fits all.

Digital Signature & Public Record Authorization

By typing my full name below, I certify that I am the candidate or an authorized campaign representative, that these answers accurately represent my official platform, and that I understand these responses will be published in full to the public record.

Jason Smith

signed october 11, 2026, 3:41 pm edt

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