Federal Judge Blocks DOJ Access to Michigan Voter Rolls, Citing Privacy Laws

Feb 15, 2026

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A federal judge in Lansing, Michigan, has dealt a major setback to the Justice Department by dismissing its lawsuit seeking access to Michigan’s detailed voter registration data, including sensitive personal information. U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou, a Trump appointee, ruled that the federal government lacks authority under the laws cited by DOJ to compel the state to hand over private voter information.

The ruling intensifies a broader conflict over federal efforts to obtain voter rolls from states. The Justice Department has sued at least two dozen states, claiming the records are needed to ensure accurate voter lists. Michigan officials had offered only the state’s public voter file, which omits birthdates, addresses, driver’s license numbers and other sensitive details.

Judge Jarbou’s 23-page opinion found the Help America Vote Act, the National Voter Registration Act and the Civil Rights Act do not authorize the U.S. to force states to produce unredacted voter lists. She said interpreting the law to require such disclosure could risk unconstitutional burdens and privacy harms.

This ruling is part of a series of judicial rejections of similar DOJ efforts in Oregon, California and Georgia. Many state election officials argue that election administration, including control of detailed voter data, is a core state responsibility not delegated by federal statute.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson welcomed the decision, framing it as protection of voter privacy. DOJ has not yet confirmed whether it will appeal.

The fight over voter information access could shape how federal authorities engage with state election processes ahead of future elections.

What happens next: A possible DOJ appeal and continued litigation in other states.

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