Today, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division took a significant step in safeguarding electoral integrity by announcing the filing of federal lawsuits against six states: California, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania. These lawsuits arise from the states' alleged failure to produce their statewide voter registration lists upon request, a crucial component in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the significance of maintaining clean voter rolls, stating, “Clean voter rolls are the foundation of free and fair elections.” She further underscored that every state has a legal obligation to ensure that their voter registration records are accurate, accessible, and secure. “States that don’t fulfill that obligation will see this Department of Justice in court,” Bondi added, highlighting the seriousness of the issue.
In support of the lawsuits, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon reiterated that states are required to comply with federal election laws. “Clean voter rolls protect American citizens from voting fraud and abuse, and restore their confidence that their states’ elections are conducted properly, with integrity, and in compliance with the law,” Dhillon stated. This assertion reflects the overarching goal of these legal actions: to uphold the integrity of American elections.
The lawsuits are grounded in the Attorney General's unique role, as defined by Congress, in enforcing the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). These acts were specifically designed to ensure that states maintain effective voter registration and list maintenance programs. Additionally, the Attorney General can invoke the Civil Rights Act of 1960 (CRA), which empowers her to demand the production, inspection, and analysis of statewide voter registration lists.
The federal lawsuits were officially filed on September 25, 2025, in the federal districts of each respective state. This legal move marks a significant enforcement action aimed at ensuring compliance with federal voter registration laws and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process across the nation.
