Court Orders DOJ to Fast-Track Records on Federal Push for State Voter Rolls
Citizens for Ethics (CREW) says a federal court has granted a preliminary injunction requiring the U.S. Department of Justice to produce responsive records on an expedited basis in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit tied to the federal government’s campaign to collect sensitive voter registration data from states. According to CREW, the ruling doesn’t resolve the case but forces DOJ to stop delaying production while litigation is ongoing, a win CREW says matters because of election-year urgency.
The dispute stems from a broad campaign by the DOJ under the Trump administration to request unredacted statewide voter rolls — including personally identifiable information like addresses, birth dates and portions of Social Security numbers — and to sue states that refuse to hand them over. Some states have resisted, sparking at least a dozen federal suits by DOJ seeking compliance.
CREW filed multiple FOIA requests last year after alleging DOJ repeatedly failed to produce records explaining the legal basis, intended uses, privacy safeguards and data sharing agreements underlying its voter data collection efforts. CREW asked for expedited processing Jan. 30, 2026, citing the public’s need to know how millions of Americans’ sensitive information is being used during an on-going federal campaign.
Related: DOJ Seeks Full Wisconsin Voter Rolls as Former Trump Lawyer Joins Case
The injunction forces DOJ to prioritize processing CREW’s records requests but leaves broader questions unanswered — including what the agency plans to do with the data and how it will protect privacy. Opponents have argued federal overreach risks undermining both state election authority and personal data security.
“This decision means the public will finally get the information necessary to understand federal plans involving millions of voters’ personal data,” said CREW in a statement.
The ruling underscores growing tensions between federal election enforcement and state control over voter registration data, with privacy advocates closely watching next steps. Public release of the DOJ’s records is expected in the coming weeks, potentially shaping legal and political debate as 2026 elections approach.
Related: Federal Judge Blocks DOJ Access to Michigan Voter Rolls, Citing Privacy Laws