Rhode Island voter data seized by US court order blocked nationwide

US Federal Judge Dismisses DOJ Lawsuit Seeking Voter Data from Rhode Island

A federal judge in the United States has ruled against the Department of Justice’s lawsuit seeking access to voter data from Rhode Island. The decision on Friday marks the latest setback for the Trump administration, which has been pursuing this effort across multiple states ahead of the US midterms.

The ruling was made by US District Court Judge Mary McElroy, who sided with election officials and civil rights groups in dismissing the lawsuit. In her ruling, the judge stated that the Justice Department does not have the authority to conduct a “fishing expedition” for voter data.

Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore praised the decision, stating that it highlights the importance of state sovereignty in administering elections. He noted that the executive branch’s actions can sometimes be seen as overreaching and medling with responsibilities that belong to the states.

The Justice Department has filed lawsuits in at least 30 states seeking voter information, citing the need for election security. However, state officials have raised concerns about the potential privacy implications of sharing such data. The US Constitution grants states authority over elections, while Congress is responsible for passing laws related to voting procedures.

Federal judges have previously rejected similar attempts by the Justice Department in California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Oregon. In contrast, at least 12 states have provided or pledged to provide voter information to the Trump administration. This development has raised concerns about how the administration will approach the upcoming midterm elections, which will determine the composition of the US Congress.

The Trump administration is currently pushing for the passage of the SAVE America Act, a bill that would establish higher documentation standards for voters to prove their citizenship when registering and casting ballots. The measure has been met with criticism from some lawmakers and civil rights groups, who argue it could disenfranchise eligible voters.

Source: Al Jazeera