Federal Judge Dismisses DOJ Lawsuit to Access Kentucky Voter Rolls

U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom, a Trump appointee, dismissed with prejudice a Justice Department lawsuit seeking Kentucky’s private voter registration files, which include driver’s‑license numbers and partial Social Security numbers. The ruling follows similar decisions in Michigan and other states, with courts holding that federal law does not give the DOJ unrestricted access to state voter rolls. The judge noted the DOJ’s demand letters failed to specify both a legal basis and a purpose, violating the 1960 Civil Rights Act provision the department relied on. Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams, who provided only redacted records, said the decision protects personal information and confirms that election transparency can coexist with privacy. The case marks the 17th defeat for the DOJ’s effort to obtain voter data from states and underscores a broader judicial trend rejecting the administration’s voter‑file demands.