Washington, D.C. – September 26, 2025
The U.S. The Department of Justice has filed lawsuits against six states California, New York, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania accusing them of violating federal law by refusing to hand over their complete statewide voter registration lists, including sensitive personal data.
The legal actions, announced Thursday, intensify a growing clash between the federal government and states over the handling of voter information ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
DOJ’s Legal Argument
The Justice Department says the lawsuits are grounded in provisions of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), and the Civil Rights Act of 1960, which they argue give the Attorney General broad authority to inspect voter lists and ensure states are maintaining accurate rolls.
Federal officials insist that “clean and accurate voter rolls” are essential to protecting election integrity, minimizing the risk of ineligible voting, and maintaining public confidence in the democratic process.
This is not the first step in the DOJ’s campaign. Earlier this year, the department sued Maine and Oregon for similar refusals, signaling a coordinated push to secure access to detailed registration data nationwide.
State Resistance and Privacy Concerns
The six states targeted have pushed back strongly, citing privacy, legal, and constitutional concerns.
- Michigan’s Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson confirmed she provided a public version of the voter file but withheld private identifiers like Social Security numbers and driver’s license data. She called the DOJ’s broader request “unprecedented and not normal.”
- California Secretary of State Shirley Weber dismissed the demand as a “fishing expedition,” criticizing the department for failing to explain how the sensitive information would be used or safeguarded.
- Minnesota’s Secretary of State Steve Simon said his office repeatedly asked the DOJ for clarification on data protections but never received a response before the lawsuit was filed.
- Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt went further, labeling the move “unlawful federal overreach” and vowing to resist.
Other states named in the lawsuit have echoed similar objections, pointing to existing state privacy laws that restrict the release of certain identifiers.
Political and Legal Implications
The lawsuits come at a politically sensitive moment, as the Trump administration continues to emphasize election security and “voter roll accuracy” as priorities.
Critics, however, warn that the DOJ’s aggressive approach raises serious privacy concerns. Voter registration files contain highly personal details, including birthdates, home addresses, driver’s license numbers, and partial Social Security numbers. Civil liberties groups argue that handing such data to the federal government could open the door to misuse including immigration or criminal investigations outside the scope of election law.
Legal experts note the outcome could set a major precedent. While states must comply with federal election laws, the scope of the DOJ’s power to compel access to non-public voter data remains legally unsettled. Courts will now have to weigh federal authority against states’ constitutional control over election administration and individual privacy protections.
Broader Context
The lawsuits add to what has become one of the most contentious fronts in the U.S. political landscape: control of election systems. With large broadcast groups, political operatives, and advocacy organizations watching closely, the results of these legal battles could reshape how voter data is handled ahead of the next election cycle.
For now, the six states stand firm in resisting the Justice Department’s demands, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal showdown that could influence the balance of federal and state powers in elections for years to come.
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