Back
Politics

Federal Judge Dismisses Justice Department Lawsuit for Rhode Island Voter Registration Records

Generated on: Last updated: 2 sources
View source

Federal Judge Dismisses DOJ Lawsuit Against Rhode Island Over Voter Records

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) against the state of Rhode Island, marking the fifth such dismissal in similar cases brought by the agency. The DOJ had sought to compel the state to provide unredacted voter registration records.

The Ruling

On Friday, U.S. District Judge Mary S. McElroy dismissed the lawsuit. In her ruling, Judge McElroy stated the DOJ's demand for records "lacks a legally sufficient basis" under the 1960 Civil Rights Act (CRA). The law requires the agency to provide a specific "basis" and "purpose" for such demands.

The judge noted that the DOJ's demand letter contained no factual allegations suggesting Rhode Island was violating the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) or the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). The DOJ had stated it sought the records to ensure state compliance with these federal laws.

Judge McElroy further ruled that even if a factual basis were provided, the demand would fail because it "lacks a legally sufficient purpose" under the CRA's intended scope. The opinion cited the DOJ's earlier loss in a similar case against California, United States v. Weber.

In her ruling, Judge McElroy referred to the DOJ's widespread voter roll demands as a "fishing expedition."

Context of DOJ Efforts

This case is part of a broader effort by the DOJ:

  • The department has sued approximately 30 states and Washington, D.C., seeking their voter registration records.
  • Seventeen states have complied with the DOJ's requests.
  • This dismissal is the fifth at the district court level, following similar rulings in cases against California, Oregon, Michigan, and Massachusetts.
  • The DOJ has filed appeals in the cases it has lost.
  • Following previous losses, the DOJ has requested permission in 13 states to file new demand letters with a more explicit basis.

Statements and Reactions

  • Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore stated the decision affirms the state's position that the DOJ has no legal right to private voter information. Amore had previously offered a publicly available voter list but declined to provide unredacted information, citing privacy concerns.
  • Amore said voter list maintenance is a state responsibility and criticized what he described as executive branch overreach.

Additional Background

  • During proceedings, a government lawyer acknowledged plans to share any obtained voter information with the Department of Homeland Security to check for noncitizen registrations.
  • Former President Donald Trump has claimed noncitizens vote in U.S. elections and has supported legislation requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration.
  • The House of Representatives approved the SAVE America Act, which includes citizenship verification provisions, in February. The bill faces challenges in the Senate, where most legislation requires 60 votes to advance.