The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has intensified its legal efforts against six Democratic-led states, pursuing full access to voter rolls. This move marks a significant increase in a federal initiative initially targeting eight states earlier this year.
Recent Lawsuits Filed
The states involved in the new lawsuits are:
- Delaware
- Maryland
- New Mexico
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Washington
These lawsuits demand comprehensive access to voter data, including:
- Full names
- Residential addresses
- Birth dates
- Driver’s license numbers
- Last four digits of Social Security numbers
Legal Foundation of the Lawsuits
At the core of these lawsuits is the Civil Rights Act of 1960. The DOJ argues this law enables them to request wide-ranging voter records to address historical voter suppression issues. They assert that it allows them to inspect and copy entire statewide voter files with minimal judicial review.
Concerns Among Election Officials
Both Democratic and Republican officials have voiced concerns. They argue that the DOJ’s expansive demands threaten state privacy laws and could put voters’ information at risk for misuse. Additionally, they claim this approach undermines constitutional principles that assign election management to state authorities.
Widespread Implications
These latest lawsuits highlight a growing national dispute involving fourteen states and affecting over a third of the U.S. population. If the DOJ succeeds in obtaining the requested data, states may be compelled to share sensitive voter information with the federal government and potentially other agencies with minimal oversight.
The increasing contention over voter data access underscores the importance of balancing federal oversight and state privacy rights in the electoral process. Voting rights groups are actively intervening in ongoing lawsuits to advocate for voter protection and data security.
