Judge strikes down DOJ's policy of reviewing state voter rolls

U.S. District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan struck down a Department of Justice (DOJ) policy that sought to obtain unredacted state voter rolls for comparison against federal immigration databases. The judge ruled that the policy violated the Administrative Procedure Act and the Privacy Act, exceeded federal authority, and risked disenfranchising eligible citizens. While 18 states had complied with the request, the court vacates the policy and applies to files already received. The DOJ argued the program was necessary to ensure compliance with the Help America Vote Act and National Voter Registration Act, while the court emphasized that voter roll maintenance is constitutionally reserved for the states.

U.S. District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan struck down a Department of Justice (DOJ) policy that sought to obtain unredacted state voter rolls for comparison against federal immigration databases. The judge ruled that the policy violated the Administrative Procedure Act and the Privacy Act, exceeded federal authority, and risked disenfranchising eligible citizens. While 18 states had complied with the request, the court vacates the policy and applies to files already received. The DOJ argued the program was necessary to ensure compliance with the Help America Vote Act and National Voter Registration Act, while the court emphasized that voter roll maintenance is constitutionally reserved for the states.