Boston Judge Blocks Feds' Demand for Mass. Voter Rolls

Federal court dismisses DOJ lawsuit seeking full voter registration data, citing lack of legal basis.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:08pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cinematic painting of a solitary ballot box on a wooden table, the box's simple form and the table's warm lighting and deep shadows creating a contemplative mood around the integrity of the electoral process.The court's decision to block federal access to Massachusetts' voter rolls underscores the delicate balance between election transparency and voter privacy.Boston Today

A federal judge in Boston has dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit seeking to force Massachusetts to hand over its full, unredacted voter registration list, ruling that the DOJ failed to provide the legally required factual basis for the demand under the Civil Rights Act. The decision marks a win for state officials who have fought to protect voter privacy and data security.

Why it matters

This ruling sets an important legal precedent that could help other states resist similar federal attempts to access sensitive voter data, which election officials and privacy advocates warn raises substantial security and civil liberties concerns if centralized at the federal level.

The details

U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin ruled that the DOJ's request did not satisfy the procedural requirements of the Civil Rights Act, which requires the government to provide a factual statement of the 'basis and purpose' for demanding state voter records. Sorokin found the DOJ's explanation lacked any concrete factual foundation, dismissing the suit as legally deficient.

  • The DOJ filed the lawsuit against Massachusetts in April 2026.
  • Judge Sorokin issued his ruling dismissing the DOJ's lawsuit on April 12, 2026.

The players

U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin

The federal judge who dismissed the DOJ's lawsuit against Massachusetts over voter registration data.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell

The state's top law enforcement official who called the ruling 'a decisive win for voters and the rule of law.'

Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin

The state's top election official who praised the court order as correctly recognizing the DOJ's request lacked any concrete basis.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This ruling is a decisive win for voters and the rule of law.”

— Andrea Joy Campbell, Massachusetts Attorney General

“The court correctly recognized that the Justice Department's request failed to articulate any concrete basis for gaining access to the voter rolls.”

— William Galvin, Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth

What’s next

The Justice Department has declined to comment on the ruling, but the broader legal battle over voter data access is expected to continue in appeals courts across the country.

The takeaway

This court decision underscores the importance of robust legal safeguards around voter privacy and data security, as the federal government's efforts to centralize state voter rolls have raised significant concerns among election officials and civil rights advocates.