Federal judge hears challenge to DOJ voter lists sent before election

A federal judge on Saturday expressed sharp skepticism toward the Trump administration's transmission of voter data lists to states that it claims identify likely noncitizen voters, suggesting the effort targets minorities. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan heard arguments from LULAC and the Electronic Privacy Information Center seeking a temporary restraining order blocking the DOJ from sending the lists to state officials. The judge noted the action comes three or four days before a major election and that past purge efforts have swept up U.S. citizens.¹

Chutkan said she will aim to issue a decision as soon as possible.¹

What this means for voter registration

The hearing concerned whether the Justice Department can send states lists of people it says may not be citizens shortly before an election.¹ The judge noted that earlier efforts to remove noncitizens from voter rolls have removed U.S. citizens from registration lists.¹