Trump Administration Seeks Do-Over in RI Voter Data Case

The administration wants another chance after a judge dismissed the case.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 6:57pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic government office space with an empty desk and chair, the room bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of political tension and uncertainty.The Trump administration's continued legal challenges to state election data access create an unsettling political climate.Providence Today

The Trump administration is seeking to have a federal judge reconsider his dismissal of a lawsuit that aimed to force the Rhode Island Secretary of State to hand over voter registration data. The administration argues the judge should have given them an opportunity to fix issues with the case rather than dismiss it outright.

Why it matters

This case is part of the Trump administration's broader efforts to challenge election integrity and access voter data in multiple states. The outcome could set a precedent for how courts handle similar cases brought by the federal government against state election officials.

The details

The Trump administration sued Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore, seeking to compel him to turn over the state's voter registration database. A federal judge dismissed the case, ruling the administration failed to show it had legal standing to bring the lawsuit. Now the administration is asking the judge to reconsider and allow them to 'cure' the issues with the case rather than dismiss it.

  • The lawsuit was filed in April 2026.

The players

Trump administration

The administration of former President Donald Trump, which has pursued legal challenges to election integrity in multiple states.

Gregg Amore

The Rhode Island Secretary of State who refused to hand over the state's voter registration data to the Trump administration.

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What’s next

The judge will decide whether to allow the Trump administration to refile the case and attempt to fix the issues that led to its dismissal.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the federal government and state election officials over voter data access, as well as the willingness of the Trump administration to continue challenging election integrity long after leaving office.