Court Denies Trump Administration’s Bid for Michigan Voter Data Access
A federal court has denied the Trump administration’s request for voter data in Michigan, marking a significant victory for state officials. U.S. District Judge Hala Jarbou ruled against the Justice Department’s efforts to obtain sensitive voter registration information, citing federal laws that protect such data from disclosure.
Court Ruling Details
Judge Jarbou’s decision came after Michigan officials requested the dismissal of the lawsuit. The Justice Department sought an electronic copy of Michigan’s voter registration list, which includes crucial personal details of over 8 million voters. These details consisted of full names, birth dates, addresses, and either driver’s license numbers or partial Social Security numbers.
Legal Background
The judge’s ruling emphasized that federal voting laws do not mandate the release of private voter records. Three specific laws were referenced:
- Help America Vote Act
- National Voter Registration Act
- Civil Rights Act
Judge Jarbou highlighted that requiring the disclosure of private data could infringe upon voters’ rights as protected by the First Amendment.
Context of the Lawsuit
The Justice Department began this push for voter registration data in May and has pursued similar requests from nearly every state, including the District of Columbia. This latest ruling joins decisions from judges in Oregon and California, who have similarly rejected these data requests.
National Implications
While at least 11 states have complied with similar requests, Michigan stands out as one of two dozen states facing legal actions from the Justice Department. The Trump administration claims these records are essential for ensuring accurate voter rolls and eliminating ineligible voters to prevent potential election fraud.
This ruling not only reinforces Michigan’s stance on voter data privacy but also reflects a larger trend against the Justice Department’s attempts to access sensitive information nationwide.
