Federal judge blocks DOJ nationwide voter roll program

A federal judge struck down the Trump administration's nationwide voter roll program, vacating what the DOJ internally called its list maintenance project. U.S. District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan found the department exceeded its statutory authority and violated federal law. The judge barred DOJ from using already-obtained voter files, including those voluntarily submitted by 18 states, to compare against federal databases, share with DHS or pressure states to remove voters deemed ineligible.¹

Former DOJ Civil Rights Division official Justin Levitt wrote on social media that the ruling effectively confirms that for the 18 states that submitted files willingly, whoever collected the files at DOJ Civil Rights committed federal crimes.¹

What this means for voter rolls

The DOJ may not use voter files it obtained from states to compare against federal databases or share with DHS.¹ The DOJ may not pressure states to remove voters deemed ineligible based on the program.¹