The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed lawsuits against California and five other states, demanding access to sensitive voter data. The Trump administration argues that this information is necessary to ensure states are maintaining accurate voter rolls, as required by federal law. The data sought includes voters’ names, addresses, party affiliations, and partial Social Security numbers.
The DOJ’s legal action targets California, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania, accusing them of violating the National Voter Registration Act and other federal laws. According to Democracy Docket, state officials have criticized the move as an overreach, emphasizing the need to protect voter privacy. California Secretary of State Shirley Weber described the lawsuit as a “fishing expedition” and a pretext for partisan objectives.
The DOJ insists that clean voter rolls are essential for fair elections. However, as Politico reports, election officials from both parties have resisted similar requests, citing privacy concerns and potential federal overreach. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon noted that the DOJ did not provide assurances on data protection before filing the lawsuit.
The DOJ has previously filed lawsuits against Maine and Oregon for similar reasons, facing strong opposition from state officials. The Hill highlights that this legal battle reflects broader tensions between federal and state authorities over election integrity and privacy rights.
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