Judges in Maine and Wisconsin dismiss Justice Department’s attempts to force turnover of voter rolls
The rulings block the Trump administration from obtaining unredacted voter data, and courts said the Civil Rights Act does not require states to disclose it.
- On Thursday, U.S. District Judge James Peterson and Chief U.S. District Judge Lance Walker dismissed federal lawsuits seeking unredacted voter registration data from Wisconsin and Maine.
- The Justice Department sued 30 states to force release of voter rolls, claiming the data was necessary to "test, analyze, and assess" list maintenance; states refused, asserting the U.S. Constitution grants them primary election authority.
- Federal officials demanded unredacted records including birthdays, driver's license numbers, and partial Social Security numbers, prompting opponents to warn the unauthorized database would be a "goldmine for hackers and a tool for intimidation."
- Wisconsin's Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows hailed the rulings as victories for states' rights, with Bellows warning, "Trump and the DOJ may continue to try to interfere with free and fair elections."
- These decisions mark the eighth time courts have rejected federal efforts to obtain voter data, continuing a pattern of legal defeats for the administration as the Justice Department considers potential appeals.
46 Articles
46 Articles
Trump-appointed judge deals blow to DOJ's voter roll grab
A Trump-appointed federal judge dealt a blow to the Department of Justice's efforts to collect sensitive voter roll information, according to reports. U.S. District Judge Lance Walker, a Trump appointee in Maine, ruled against a DOJ lawsuit demanding the state's voter rolls, according to reporting b...
Federal judge dismisses Justice Department's lawsuit against Maine over refusal to provide voter data
Shenna Bellows has argued the Justice Department did not adequately explain how the data would be used and raised concerns about protecting Mainers’ sensitive data.
Wisconsin State Journal
Feds can't compel Wisconsin to turn over sensitive voter data, judge rules
In a statement, attorneys for liberal law firms and Wisconsin voters intervening in the case called the ruling a “massive victory” for voter privacy and the rejection of federal overreach.
Judge rejects attempt to get unredacted voter registration list
A federal judge has rejected the Trump administration’s bid to acquire Wisconsin’s full voter registration list. Last year, the Trump administration requested an unredacted list of Wisconsin’s registered voters. According to federal officials, that list needed to include either partial social security numbers or driver’s license numbers. The Wisconsin Elections Commission refused to provide that documentation, citing state privacy laws. That pro…
Journal Sentinel
USA TodayJudge blocks DOJ suit seeking confidential Wisconsin voter information
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