The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a legal action against Washington State’s Secretary of State, Steve Hobbs. This lawsuit, filed under the Trump Administration, challenges Hobbs’ refusal to supply the full state voter registration database. The DOJ claims this refusal contravenes federal laws governing election compliance.
Lawsuit Details and Background
The lawsuit was filed on a Tuesday, citing a lack of cooperation with a September request. The DOJ seeks access to an unredacted electronic copy of Washington’s voter registration list. This list includes sensitive information such as names, addresses, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, and partial Social Security numbers.
Legal Basis for the Request
The DOJ argues its request is rooted in several federal statutes:
- Civil Rights Act of 1960
- National Voter Registration Act
- Help America Vote Act (HAVA)
According to the complaint, the DOJ’s demand followed a review of Washington’s voting practices conducted by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. The federal agency aims to verify compliance with regulations regarding the removal of ineligible voters and the management of voter registrations.
State vs. Federal Law
Secretary Hobbs responded to the DOJ’s request on September 23, citing state laws that prevent the release of certain personal voter information. These include birthdates and parts of Social Security or driver’s license numbers. He argued that even federal requests must comply with these laws.
In rebuttal, DOJ attorneys asserted that state public-disclosure laws do not apply to federal investigations. They contended that the Civil Rights Act supersedes conflicting state provisions.
Implications of the Lawsuit
The DOJ’s legal action requests a federal court to mandate Hobbs to release the complete voter registration database within five days of a ruling. This would permit federal access for inspection and analysis of potentially protected personal data.
It’s important to note that the lawsuit does not claim any failures within Washington’s election infrastructure. Instead, it centers on Hobbs’ denial, which the DOJ argues hampers a critical federal compliance review.
The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for federal election oversight in Washington State.
