TargetSmart's analysis, according to Patriot Majority, identified unusual patterns of changes between file dates, including "alterations of formatting and inclusions of names, dates of birth, and other data elements. For example, middle names between voter file versions move from blank to populated, or populated to blank, or initials to full middle names, or full middle names to initials. Similarly, date of birth may go from blank to populated or vice-versa. This points to poor file management over time and illustrates a lack of consistent application of business rules."