Judge Dismisses DOJ Lawsuit Seeking Kentucky Voter Data

U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom dismissed a lawsuit filed by the United States Department of Justice against Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams and the State Board of Elections. The lawsuit, filed in February, sought unredacted voter registration records—including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and dates of birth—which the federal government claimed were necessary to prevent fraud and identify noncitizens through the Department of Homeland Security's SAVE program.

Judge Boom ruled that the records are not subject to disclosure under Title III of the Help America Vote Act, noting the government failed to provide required justifications for the demand. The decision aligns with previous losses for the Justice Department in similar cases, including a Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals precedent in Michigan. The DOJ has filed similar lawsuits against 30 states and Washington D.C., though many federal judges have rejected the requests.

Jefferson County Clerk David Yates intervened in the case to defend state privacy laws, while Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell characterized the administration's claims as dishonest. Despite the dismissal with prejudice, the Justice Department filed a notice of appeal with the Sixth Circuit Court on July 24, 2026.