The Justice Department has filed new lawsuits against Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Nevada, bringing its total to 18 states, and has also sued Fulton County, Georgia, to obtain 2020‑election records.
Why the lawsuits matter
The DOJ says it needs “complete, unredacted copies of voter registration lists, including any driver’s license numbers and parts of voters’ Social Security numbers” to verify that states are complying with federal law on maintaining accurate voter rolls.
Most of the targeted states have refused, citing privacy laws. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon warned that the department will act if states do not “protect the integrity of the ballot.”
Potential next steps
If the courts rule in favor of the DOJ, states could be compelled to release the requested voter data, which may trigger further legal challenges over privacy protections.
Conversely, continued resistance could lead the department to seek additional enforcement actions or to appeal unfavorable rulings.
Colorado’s Secretary of State Jena Griswold, who is running for attorney general, emphasized that “We will not hand over Coloradans’ sensitive voting information to Donald Trump. He does not have a legal right to the information,” and vowed to defend the state’s elections.
At the same time, former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters, serving a nine‑year sentence for granting unauthorized access to voting equipment, was pardoned by former President Trump on social media, though the pardon is largely symbolic because her conviction was under state law.
The DOJ has also announced a review of Colorado’s prisons and youth facilities, signaling broader federal scrutiny of state programs. Read more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states are being sued by the DOJ?
The latest lawsuits target Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Nevada, adding to a total of 18 states that have been sued, most of which are Democratic‑led and were lost by President Trump in the 2020 election.
What specific voter data does the DOJ want?
The department is seeking “complete, unredacted copies of voter registration lists, including any driver’s license numbers and parts of voters’ Social Security numbers” to check compliance with federal voter‑roll accuracy laws.
How has Colorado responded to the DOJ’s demand?
Secretary of State Jena Griswold said Colorado will not provide the requested voter information to former President Trump, asserting that he lacks a legal right to it and pledging to protect the state’s elections and democracy.
What do you think about the balance between election security and voter privacy?