Judge Dismisses Trump Administration’s Lawsuit for Michigan Voter Registry
A federal judge recently dismissed a lawsuit from the Trump administration that aimed to obtain Michigan’s voter registration records. This ruling, made by U.S. District Judge Hala Jarboo—who was appointed by Trump—adds to a series of setbacks for similar legal actions aimed at accessing confidential voter information.
The Trump administration has been suing multiple states to force them to clean up their voter rolls, which they argue is essential for election integrity.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the Civil Rights Act of 1960 allows states to be compelled to provide voter registration lists. However, Judge Jarboo disagreed in her 23-page opinion, indicating that the law also pertains to voter applications.
In her ruling, she noted, “If the distinction between a voter registration application and a voter registration list is too pedantic, it is a pedantic distinction made by Congress.” She added that given the advancements in voter registration technology since the law’s enactment, judges shouldn’t reinterpret laws to fit situations Congress couldn’t have predicted.
The judges emphasized the impossibility of courts acting as “telepathic time travelers,” stating they cannot modify Congressional statutes to cover unforeseen circumstances.
Since May 2025, the Trump administration has sought election-related records from nearly every state and Washington, D.C., including statewide voter registration lists and access to voting equipment. They argue this information is crucial for verifying the accuracy of voter records and for ensuring that only eligible voters are allowed to vote, thus preventing potential fraud.
