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US federal court rulings on DOJ voter roll access
Overview
Federal courts have issued rulings blocking the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) from accessing or cross-checking state voter registration data.
In September 2026, a federal judge dismissed a DOJ lawsuit seeking unredacted information from Vermont’s statewide voter registration database. The court ruled that the Civil Rights Act did not authorize the request and noted the government failed to allege a basis involving racial discrimination. The judge described the voter rolls as a “dynamic” repository rather than a “static document” subject to disclosure.
In October 2026, a U.S. District Judge struck down the administration’s policy of using state voter rolls to cross-check against the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) immigration database. In a 78-page ruling, Judge Sparkle Sooknanan determined the DOJ lacked statutory authority to implement the nationwide Voter List Maintenance Policy, stating the federal government cannot “run roughshod over longstanding laws” designed to protect voter rights.
The court found the administration understated the risk of disenfranchising eligible citizens due to inaccuracies in the SAVE database. The ruling emphasized that while the federal government has roles in election oversight, Congress has left the authority to decide voter eligibility to individual states. The decision vacates the policy, applying to both voter files already obtained by the DOJ and those currently being litigated. The Justice Department has indicated it is reviewing the decision.
Entities
Department of Justice · Donald Trump · Justice Department · Vermont · Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 9 SOURCES] The Justice Department's policy of cross-checking state voter rolls against federal immigration databases is unlawful.
- [● 6 SOURCES] The administration understated the risk of wrongly removing eligible citizens due to inaccuracies in the SAVE database.
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Justice Department is reviewing the court's decision.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Eighteen states complied with the federal government's requests for unredacted voter rolls.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The ruling vacates the Trump administration’s nationwide Voter List Maintenance Policy.
Timeline
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[POLITICS] 18 sourcesU.S. judge strikes down DOJ policy using voter data to check immigration records
A U.S. federal judge ruled the Trump administration's policy of cross-checking state voter rolls against immigration databases is unlawful, citing a lack of federal authority and risks to voter rights.
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[POLITICS] 2 sourcesFederal judge blocks DOJ from accessing Vermont voter rolls
A federal judge blocked a DOJ lawsuit seeking access to Vermont’s statewide voter registration database, marking the 24th consecutive trial-court loss for the department in similar nationwide efforts.
Sources
100percentfedup.com · aljazeera.com · alternet.org · antiguatribune.com · barbadosgazette.com · cbsnews.com · cubaheadlines.com · dailyboulder.com · domigood.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · internewscast.com · nypost.com · octobergallery.com · pjmedia.com · srnnews.com · stvincenttribune.com · triblive.com · trinidadtribune.com · wtxnews.com
This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history