Privacy Policy
Last updated: May 19, 2026
CountiesFirst.org is operated by Matt Hawkins and the Convention of Counties project. This page explains what information is collected on this site, how it is used, and what choices you have.
What We Collect
The only personal information collected on this site is your email address, and only when you voluntarily submit the free first-chapter request form. Submitting that form is entirely optional. No other personal data is requested or stored by the site itself.
The site uses Google Analytics 4 (GA4), which collects anonymized usage data including page views, referral sources, and approximate geographic region. No personally identifiable information is passed to GA4. You can opt out of GA4 tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on .
How Your Email Address Is Used
When you submit the free chapter form, your email address is used to:
- Send you the link to the free first chapter PDF.
- Occasionally notify you of updates related to the book and the Convention of Counties movement, such as new interviews, speaking appearances, or state-level resolutions.
Your email address is not used for any other purpose, and it is not sold, rented, or shared with any third party for marketing purposes.
Who Owns the List
The email list is owned and controlled exclusively by Matt Hawkins. It is stored on the server that hosts this site and is not held by any third-party marketing platform. No paid email-service provider has access to your address unless Matt explicitly chooses to migrate the list in the future, in which case this policy will be updated.
How to Unsubscribe
To be removed from the mailing list at any time, send an email to matt@conventionofcounties.com with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line. Your address will be removed promptly.
Cookies
This site sets a single session cookie to protect the email signup form against automated submissions (CSRF protection). That cookie contains no personal information and expires when you close your browser. GA4 also sets cookies for analytics purposes; see the Google Analytics section above for opt-out options.
External Links
This site links to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, ConventionOfCounties.com, and other external sites. This privacy policy applies only to CountiesFirst.org. Those sites have their own privacy policies.
Contact
Questions about this policy can be directed to Matt Hawkins at matt@conventionofcounties.com or through the Convention of Counties website .