And the newspaper got this data from... whom? A polling place? Special Software?
Each locality has the names of those registered voters in their district/community and are checked off as you enter to vote. In my case, am then given the ballot which I mark my vote(s) with a pencil!
Mailing lists of voters who voted, registered voters who didn't vote, sex, age, ethnicity, etc. can be purchased legally. Much of the mailings we receive in the mail are from these lists.
No one should have their name published in the paper because they did not vote. that is ridiculous......gimme a break. Some people could have legitimate reasons for not being able to vote, perhaps they're sick or maybe their parents are on the verge of dying.