Nebraska to Hand Over Voter Data to Justice Department After Court Loss

State's Republican Secretary of State says he will comply with federal request despite privacy concerns.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Nebraska's Republican Secretary of State Bob Evnen says he will hand over sensitive voter data, including dates of birth, addresses, and partial Social Security numbers, to the U.S. Justice Department on Thursday after the state's Supreme Court rejected a legal effort to block the move. Evnen says the federal request is lawful, but a government watchdog group argued the release of the data threatens the privacy of every Nebraska voter.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing tensions between state and federal authorities over voter data and election security. While the Justice Department says it is seeking the data to ensure election compliance, some officials argue the demand violates privacy laws and could lead to legitimate voters being removed from rolls.

The details

Last week, a state judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the government watchdog group Common Cause, which sought to stop the release of the voter information to the federal government. On Wednesday, the Nebraska Supreme Court denied an injunction to block the data transfer. Evnen says his office will upload the voter data electronically to the Justice Department and request that privacy laws be observed, but he acknowledged he could not be certain the information would be kept secure.

  • On February 11, 2026, Nebraska's Secretary of State Bob Evnen said he will hand over the voter data to the Justice Department.
  • On February 10, 2026, the Nebraska Supreme Court denied an injunction to block the data transfer.
  • On February 3, 2026, a state judge dismissed the lawsuit filed by Common Cause to stop the release of the voter information.

The players

Bob Evnen

The Republican Secretary of State of Nebraska who will be handing over the voter data to the Justice Department.

Common Cause

A government watchdog group that filed a lawsuit seeking to block the release of the voter information, arguing it threatens the privacy of every Nebraska voter.

U.S. Justice Department

The federal agency that has been pushing states to turn over voter data and other election information as part of an effort to ensure election security.

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What they’re saying

“The only thing I'm positive of is that the sun won't catch in a tree when it sets tonight.”

— Bob Evnen, Nebraska Secretary of State (nhregister.com)

What’s next

The Justice Department has sued at least 23 states and the District of Columbia in its effort to obtain voter rolls, and a federal judge recently rejected the department's effort to obtain Michigan's voter data.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over voter privacy and election security, with state and federal authorities at odds over the appropriate handling of sensitive voter information. It raises questions about the balance between ensuring election integrity and protecting individual privacy rights.