Privacy

PRIVACY POLICY, TERMS OF USE & LEGAL DISCLOSURES

BILL E. GATES JR. FOR GOVERNOR

Last Updated: January 11, 2026

1. INTRODUCTION; ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS; SCOPE

This website, www.votebillgates.net (the “Site”), is operated by Bill E. Gates Jr. for Governor (the “Campaign,” “Committee,” “we,” “us,” or “our”).

This Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Legal Disclosures (collectively, the “Policy”) govern your access to and use of the Site and any related websites, mobile services, digital communications, text messages, emails, social media interactions, applications, or online offerings provided by or on behalf of the Campaign (collectively, the “Services”).

By accessing, browsing, interacting with, or using the Site or Services in any manner, you affirmatively acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be legally bound by this Policy. If you do not agree, you must immediately discontinue use of the Site and Services.

This Policy applies regardless of the device used (computer, mobile phone, tablet, or otherwise) and whether you are a registered user, donor, volunteer, or casual visitor.

2. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Policy:

“Personal Information” means information that identifies, relates to, describes, or could reasonably be linked to an identifiable individual, including but not limited to name, address, phone number, email address, occupation, employer, payment information, and online identifiers.
“Aggregate Information” means information collected about groups or categories of users that does not identify individuals.
“Third Parties” means entities not owned or controlled by the Campaign, including vendors, platforms, service providers, advertisers, and linked websites.

Nothing in this Policy restricts the Campaign’s use of Aggregate Information.

3. COMMITMENT TO PRIVACY, SECURITY, AND TRANSPARENCY

Bill E. Gates Jr. for Governor is committed to providing a high level of online privacy, transparency, and information security consistent with applicable laws and campaign-finance requirements.

We implement commercially reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect Personal Information. However, no system is completely secure, and the Campaign makes no guarantees regarding absolute security.

We encourage you to contact the Campaign directly. We want to hear from you — your ideas, your concerns, and your thoughts on how we can make the Star of the North Better for All.

4. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

A. Information You Voluntarily Provide

We collect information you voluntarily provide when you:

Register for updates, events, or volunteer opportunities
Make a contribution or purchase merchandise
Sign petitions, complete surveys, or submit forms
Communicate with the Campaign via email, phone, text, or social media

This may include your name, mailing address, email address, phone number, occupation, employer, demographic information, and any other information you choose to provide.

B. Contributions and Campaign-Finance Compliance

When you make a contribution, we collect information required to process the transaction and comply with Minnesota and applicable federal campaign-finance laws, including contributor name, mailing address, occupation, and employer.

Payment information is processed by third-party payment processors. The Campaign does not store full credit card or bank account numbers on its servers. Contributions are generally non-refundable.

C. Automatically Collected Information

When you access the Site, we may automatically collect:

IP address
Browser type and version
Device identifiers and operating system
Network and connection information
Pages viewed, access times, referring URLs
Clickstream and interaction data

This information may be used individually or in aggregate to authenticate users, secure the Site, analyze usage, and improve Services.

D. Cookies, Pixels, and Tracking Technologies

The Campaign and its service providers may use cookies, web beacons, pixels, local storage objects, embedded scripts, and similar technologies (“Tracking Technologies”).

These technologies may be used to:

Maintain Site functionality
Analyze performance and usage
Personalize content
Measure campaign effectiveness

You may disable cookies via your browser settings; however, doing so may limit functionality. Browser controls may not affect all Tracking Technologies.

E. Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from publicly available sources, social media platforms, vendors, or other Third Parties and combine it with information we collect, consistent with applicable law.

5. USE OF INFORMATION

The Campaign may use collected information for purposes including, but not limited to:

Operating, maintaining, and improving the Site and Services
Communicating campaign messages, events, advocacy, and fundraising
Processing contributions and complying with legal obligations
Organizing volunteers and campaign activities
Responding to inquiries and providing support
Conducting analytics, research, and internal reporting
Preventing fraud, abuse, or unauthorized access

Information is used solely for lawful campaign-related purposes.

6. CONSENT TO COMMUNICATIONS (EMAIL, TEXT, CALLS)

By providing your phone number, email address, or other contact information, you expressly consent to receive SMS/MMS messages, emails, and telephone calls, including automated, autodialed, or prerecorded communications, from or on behalf of Bill E. Gates Jr. for Governor.

Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply.

You may opt out of text messages at any time by replying STOP. You may unsubscribe from emails using provided links. Opt-out requests will be honored within a reasonable timeframe.

7. USE OF THIRD-PARTY SERVICES (WIX, GMAIL, GOOGLE VOICE)

The Campaign uses third-party services, including Wix, Gmail, and Google Voice, to host the Site, manage communications, and minimize operational costs.

Use of these services does not imply endorsement by those companies of the Campaign, nor endorsement by the Campaign of those companies beyond their use as tools. Their own privacy policies and terms of service apply when interacting with their platforms.

8. SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

The Campaign maintains a presence on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram.

Your interactions on those platforms are governed by the privacy policies and terms of service of the respective companies. The Campaign does not control and is not responsible for how those platforms collect, store, or use information.

9. DISCLOSURE AND SHARING OF INFORMATION

The Campaign does not sell Personal Information.

We may disclose information:

To vendors, consultants, volunteers, and service providers acting on our behalf
To comply with campaign-finance, election, or other legal requirements
To comply with subpoenas, court orders, or lawful requests
To protect the rights, safety, property, or integrity of the Campaign or others
With your consent or at your direction

Aggregate or anonymized information may be shared without restriction.

10. THIRD-PARTY LINKS, MERCHANDISE, AND DISCLAIMER

The Site may link to Third-Party websites, services, or merchandise providers. All such entities are independent Third Parties.

The Campaign is not responsible for the content, legality, security, or privacy practices of Third-Party websites. Any information you provide to Third Parties is governed by their policies, not this Policy.

The Campaign assumes Third Parties have the legal right to sell their products and is not responsible for laws they may or may not violate.

11. USER SUBMISSIONS AND PUBLIC INTERACTIONS

Any information you submit publicly (comments, petitions, social media interactions, messages) may be visible to others. You assume all risk associated with public disclosure.

The Campaign is not responsible for how Third Parties use information you voluntarily make public.

12. CHILDREN’S PRIVACY

The Site is not intended for children under the age of 13. The Campaign does not knowingly collect Personal Information from children under 13.

13. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Site and Services are provided “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE.”

The Campaign disclaims all warranties, express or implied. Under no circumstances shall the Campaign be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages arising from your use of the Site or Services.

Use of the Site is at your sole risk.

14. GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION

This Policy shall be governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any disputes shall be brought exclusively in state or federal courts located in Minnesota.

15. MODIFICATIONS TO THIS POLICY

The Campaign may revise this Policy at any time. Changes are effective upon posting. Continued use of the Site constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.

16. CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this Policy, the Campaign’s privacy practices, your communications with the Campaign, or the handling of your information, you may contact Bill E. Gates Jr. for Governor using the information below.

General Campaign Contact

Email: billgtes4mngov26@gmail.com
Phone: 507-400-9881

At this time, the Campaign does not publicly list a physical mailing address. Any address required by law is disclosed through official government filings and public records maintained by the Minnesota Secretary of State and other appropriate authorities.

17. CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS; LEGAL LIMITS; REFUNDS; PREFERRED DONATION AMOUNTS

Bill E. Gates Jr. for Governor accepts political contributions in accordance with Minnesota campaign-finance law and applicable regulations.

Contribution Limits

Minnesota law limits the total amount an individual may contribute during each two-year election cycle as follows:

Governor / Lieutenant Governor: up to $4,000 total
Minnesota State Senate or House: up to $1,000 total

Contributions exceeding applicable limits, from prohibited sources, or otherwise not permitted by law will be returned or refunded as required.

Political Contribution Refund (PCR) Program

Donations of $75 or less (or $150 for married couples filing jointly) to a qualified Minnesota state candidate or party may be eligible for Minnesota’s Political Contribution Refund (PCR) Program, which allows qualifying donors to apply for a refund of up to that amount from the State of Minnesota.

Eligibility, refund availability, and application requirements are governed by state law and administered by the State of Minnesota. The Campaign does not guarantee eligibility or approval of any refund request.

Preferred Donation Amounts (Grassroots & Administrative Notice)

The Campaign is a grassroots-focused operation and therefore encourages and prefers small-dollar contributions, particularly donations of $75 or less (or $150 for married couples filing jointly).

Small-dollar contributions reduce administrative and reporting burdens, allow the Campaign to direct more resources toward voter outreach and engagement, and help ensure efficient compliance with Minnesota campaign-finance requirements.

While the Campaign may accept larger contributions within the limits permitted by law, supporters are encouraged to contribute only what they are comfortable with and to consider the benefits of small-dollar participation.

Campaign Discretion

The Campaign reserves the right to refuse, return, or refund any contribution, in whole or in part, as permitted or required by law, including contributions that raise legal, compliance, administrative, or operational concerns.

Disclaimer

By Saying I am Running under the DFL ticket does not indicate automatic endorsement by the Party or its affiliates

Making the Star of the North Brighter for All