DOJ Lawsuit to Obtain WA Voter Rolls Can Move Forward After Months of Delays

The federal government's case alleges Washington's secretary of state violated the Civil Rights Act of 1960 by refusing to hand over voter data.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 5:49am

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A dimly lit, cinematic interior space with warm sunlight streaming through windows, creating deep shadows and a sense of quiet contemplation, conceptually representing the legal and political tensions surrounding voter data access.The legal battle over voter data access exposes the tensions between federal and state governments on election integrity.Olympia Today

After months of delays in properly serving the state's attorneys, a federal lawsuit filed by the Trump administration to force Washington to turn over its voter registration rolls can now move forward. The Department of Justice alleges the state's secretary of state violated federal law by refusing to provide certain voter data, but the state argues that information is protected under state privacy laws.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between federal and state governments over voter data and election integrity. The DOJ is pursuing similar lawsuits against dozens of states, many led by Democrats, in an effort to obtain voter rolls, raising concerns about how that data could be used.

The details

The DOJ lawsuit alleges that Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs violated the Civil Rights Act of 1960 by refusing to hand over voter data like dates of birth, driver's license numbers, and Social Security numbers. Hobbs said he would provide public voter information but not the protected personal data. The federal government took the case to court, and a judge is now allowing it to move forward after initial delays in properly serving the state.

  • The DOJ filed the lawsuit in December 2025.
  • The federal government finally served the state last month.
  • Washington has until May 12, 2026 to respond to the lawsuit.

The players

Steve Hobbs

The Washington secretary of state who refused to provide certain voter data to the DOJ, citing state privacy laws.

Eric Neff

The DOJ's top voting rights attorney who was responsible for the delays in properly serving the state, blaming his lack of familiarity with the process.

Bob Ferguson

The Washington state attorney general who expressed confidence the state will be successful in court.

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What they’re saying

“The improper handling of a lawsuit dealing with something as important as voters' protected information, and a lack of transparency in how that information would be used, does not give us confidence that voter data would be handled with the care it requires.”

— Stefanie Randolph, Spokesperson, Washington Secretary of State's Office

“Plaintiff should have considered the 'unique requirements of litigation' in this district before instituting this case, rather than after it missed deadlines.”

— Judge Kymberly Evanson

What’s next

The judge has ordered Washington officials to explain why they shouldn't be forced to provide the voter records, and a response is due by May 12, 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing battle between federal and state governments over voter data and election integrity, with concerns about how such sensitive information could be used and shared across agencies.