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Drummond Today
By the People, for the People
DOJ Sues 5 More States for Voter Registration Lists
The Trump administration has now sued 29 states and D.C. for voter information, raising concerns about election interference.
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
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The Justice Department has sued another five states, including three led by Republicans, for their unredacted voter registration lists, amid the Trump administration's efforts to obtain the information ahead of November's midterm elections. The five states sued are Utah, Oklahoma, Kentucky, West Virginia and New Jersey. Courts have previously ruled against the government in similar cases, finding that the DOJ lacks the authority to compel disclosure of the unredacted voter lists or that the laws it cites do not permit the government to obtain them.
Why it matters
The Trump administration's aggressive pursuit of voter registration data has heightened concerns among Democrats and civil rights groups that it is seeking to interfere in the upcoming midterm elections. The lawsuits have disproportionately targeted Democratic-led states, raising questions about the administration's motivations.
The details
The Justice Department, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, argues it has the authority to request the sensitive election data under the Civil Rights Act of 1960. However, courts have rejected this argument in previous cases, ruling that the DOJ lacks the authority to compel disclosure of the unredacted voter lists or that the laws it cites do not permit the government to obtain them. Several states, including New Jersey and Utah, have vowed to fight the lawsuits in court, arguing that they are committed to protecting the privacy and rights of their residents.
- The DOJ sued the five states on February 27, 2026.
- Courts have ruled against the government in similar cases in mid-January and earlier this month.
The players
Pam Bondi
The Attorney General who is leading the DOJ's efforts to obtain the voter registration lists.
Jennifer Davenport
The Attorney General of New Jersey, who has rejected the DOJ's lawsuit and vowed to defend her state's residents' privacy.
Deidre Henderson
The Lieutenant Governor of Utah, who has stated that neither state nor federal law entitles the DOJ to collect private information on law-abiding citizens.
Gentner Drummond
The Attorney General of Oklahoma, who has stated that the state is willing to fully cooperate with any lawful requests related to voter fraud.
Harmeet Dhillon
The Assistant Attorney General of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, who has acknowledged that many states are choosing to fight the lawsuits in court but stated that the DOJ will not be deterred.
What they’re saying
“As several courts have already held, the Department of Justice's request for voters' personal information, including their driver's license numbers and Social Security numbers, is baseless.”
— Jennifer Davenport, New Jersey Attorney General (UPI)
“Neither state nor federal law entitles the Department of Justice to collect private information on law-abiding American citizens. Utahns can be assured that my office will always follow the Constitution and the law, protect voters' rights and administer free and fair elections.”
— Deidre Henderson, Lieutenant Governor of Utah (UPI)
“Oklahomans should have confidence that their state remains firmly committed to both election integrity and the protection of personal information.”
— Gentner Drummond, Oklahoma Attorney General (UPI)
“We will not be deterred, regardless of party affiliation, from carrying out critical election integrity legal duties.”
— Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General, DOJ Civil Rights Division (UPI)
What’s next
The courts will decide whether the DOJ has the authority to compel the states to turn over their unredacted voter registration lists.
The takeaway
The DOJ's aggressive pursuit of voter registration data has raised serious concerns about potential election interference, with courts so far rejecting the administration's legal arguments. The lawsuits have further strained the relationship between the federal government and state election officials, underscoring the need for clear and impartial rules governing access to sensitive voter information.
