Judge Sorokin Blocks DOJ Voter Data Grab After ‘No Factual Basis’ Found
A federal judge has dismissed the Justice Department’s attempt to obtain Massachusetts voter data, marking another setback in a growing national legal fight.
The ruling adds to a string of losses for the DOJ as states increasingly resist federal demands for sensitive voter information, raising questions about privacy and authority.
According to the Associated Press, U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin rejected the lawsuit after finding the DOJ failed to meet requirements under a 1960 civil rights law governing access to voter records. The court said the department did not provide a factual explanation for why it needed the data.
That gap became central to the case, with the judge noting the DOJ relied on a “conceivable or possible” justification rather than a documented need.
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“The statute requires a statement of why the Attorney General demands production,” Sorokin wrote in the decision.
The loss marks at least the fifth time federal courts have dismissed similar lawsuits, even as the DOJ continues pursuing voter data from more than 30 states.
The department has argued the data is necessary to verify voter eligibility through federal systems, but critics across party lines say the requests could expose personal information and exceed federal authority over elections.
What happens next could hinge on appeals already underway in other states, as the DOJ continues pressing its broader campaign.
For now, Massachusetts joins a growing list of states holding the line.
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