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

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

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Nebraska's Republican Secretary of State Bob Evnen said the state will hand over sensitive voter information, 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. The decision comes amid a broader push by the federal government to obtain voter data from states across the country.

Why it matters

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

The details

A state judge had previously dismissed a lawsuit filed by the government watchdog group Common Cause, which sought to prevent the release of the voter data. Common Cause argued the "unprecedented and unlawful release of highly sensitive information" could not be undone once disclosed. However, the Nebraska Attorney General's office advised that the federal request was "lawful and proper." Evnen said the state would not remove people from voter rolls based solely on Justice Department recommendations, but would conduct its own investigation first.

  • On February 11, 2026, the Nebraska Supreme Court denied an injunction to block the release of voter data.
  • On February 16, 2026, Nebraska's Secretary of State will upload the voter information electronically to the Justice Department.

The players

Bob Evnen

Nebraska's Republican Secretary of State who will be turning over the voter data to the Justice Department.

Common Cause

A government watchdog group that unsuccessfully sued to prevent the release of the sensitive voter information.

U.S. Department of Justice

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

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What they’re saying

“This case threatens the unprecedented and unlawful release of highly sensitive information of every Nebraska voter. Once the data is released, that bell cannot be unrung.”

— Common Cause lawyers

“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

What’s next

The Justice Department will review the voter data provided by Nebraska to assess the state's compliance with federal voting laws. Nebraska election officials have said they will conduct their own investigation before removing any voters from the rolls based on the federal agency's recommendations.

The takeaway

This case underscores the ongoing debate over voter privacy, election security, and the balance of power between state and federal authorities when it comes to administering elections. It remains to be seen whether the Justice Department's efforts to obtain voter data from states across the country will withstand legal challenges and lead to meaningful changes, or if they will be seen as overreach by some officials and watchdog groups.