The Justice Department announced on Tuesday that it has filed a lawsuit against Oregon and Maine for not taking control of their voter registration lists. This action marks the first lawsuit from the department aimed at securing comprehensive voter data from various states.
The Justice Department claims that these states are breaching federal law by not supplying an electronic version of their voter registration lists and lacking information about ineligible voters.
Oregon further stated that it has not shared how it manages its voter list.
According to the Associated Press, Oregon and Maine are among at least 26 states implicated in similar issues.
“States can’t pick and choose which federal laws they follow, especially those related to voting that ensure equal access for all American citizens in federal elections,” said Halham K. Dillon from the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.
A spokesperson for the Secretary of State offices in both Oregon and Maine mentioned that they haven’t received any official notice regarding the lawsuit.
Requests for a copy of the court filing sent to the Department of Justice went unanswered.
Some states have pushed back, denying requests for voter registration data, citing concerns about the Department of Justice not complying with state or federal privacy laws.
Federal officials have been sending out numerous requests for voter data, often with tight deadlines.
While a few states provide a redacted version of the voter list, the Department of Justice has consistently sought unedited copies containing sensitive information like voter names, birthdates, addresses, and parts of Social Security numbers.
The department has also threatened legal action against Minnesota and California.
Maine’s Secretary of State, Shena Bellows, has been particularly vocal about refusing to share information.
In a statement, Bellows expressed frustration, saying, “Maine has some of the best elections in the country. It’s absurd that the Justice Department is targeting us when other secretaries from both parties are resisting this federal overreach as we are.”
Oregon Secretary Tobias Reid echoed her sentiments, indicating a readiness to contest the issue in court if necessary. “I promised the people of Oregon that I will safeguard their rights and privacy,” he stated.
Concerns among election officials have grown due to the Justice Department’s requests. They argue that the department lacks the constitutional authority to oversee elections, a power designated to states and their legislatures.
Additionally, federal law protects individual data from being shared with the federal government.
The Justice Department insists that access to detailed voter data is crucial for ensuring compliance with federal election laws.
Election officials are apprehensive, fearing federal officials might misuse sensitive data, perhaps to identify potential non-citizens on the voter rolls.
In another request issued in August, the Department of Justice sought access to voting machines used during the 2020 election in Missouri. The reason behind this inquiry remains unclear, especially since it followed shortly after President Donald Trump called for a special prosecutor to examine that election.
