Minnesota Federal Judge Blocks Trump Admin Bid for Voter Data

• A federal judge in Minnesota rejected the DOJ's request for unredacted statewide voter registration data.
• This marks the 23rd loss for the government in its attempts to access state voting records.
• The decision highlights the importance of demonstrating specific violations before seeking broad access to state voting records.
• The Help America Vote Act does not contain any disclosure requirement, and the federal government failed to demonstrate that Minnesota failed to comply with HAVA's list-maintenance requirements.

The unredacted statewide voter registration list the government demanded from the state defendants in this case is not a record or paper that comes into Minnesota election officials' possession.

A federal judge in Minnesota has dealt another blow to the Trump administration's efforts to obtain state voter registration data. This marks the 23rd loss for the government in its attempts to access state voting records. The decision highlights the importance of demonstrating specific violations before seeking broad access to state voting records, a principle that applies not only to federal agencies but also to ordinary litigants. In this case, U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez ruled that the federal government cannot demand unredacted statewide voter registration data without first claiming specific violations. The judge's 27-page dismissal is a significant setback for the Trump administration's efforts to oversee state voter rolls and root out noncitizen voting and voter fraud.

The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) was passed in response to issues arising from the 2000 election, with the aim of reforming national voting procedures and establishing minimum standards for election administration. While HAVA requires states to take steps to ensure their voter registration lists are up-to-date, it does not contain any disclosure requirement. The federal government's actions stem from President Trump's March 2025 executive order, 'Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections,' which aimed to provide 'free, fair and honest elections unmarred by fraud, errors or suspicion.' However, the judge found that the complaint contained no allegation that the state defendants failed to comply with HAVA's list-maintenance requirements.

The decision has significant implications for lawyers advising clients on compliance with the Help America Vote Act. It highlights the importance of demonstrating specific violations before seeking broad access to state voting records. The judge's ruling also underscores the need for transparency and accountability in election administration, as well as the importance of respecting states' autonomy in managing their own voter registration systems.

Lawyers advising clients on compliance with the Help America Vote Act should note that a federal judge has rejected the DOJ's attempt to obtain unredacted statewide voter registration data, highlighting the importance of demonstrating specific violations before seeking broad access to state voting records.

Source: Original reporting via CN