Judge Blocks DOJ Access to Washington Voter Rolls

U.S. District Court Judge Kymberly Evanson dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration against Washington state, blocking the U.S. Department of Justice from accessing sensitive voter rolls. The Justice Department sought private data, including driver's license numbers, dates of birth, and partial social security numbers, claiming the records were necessary to ensure compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1960, the Help America Vote Act, and the National Voter Registration Act.

Washington state officials, including Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and Attorney General Nick Brown, fought the request as an unprecedented federal overreach. Attorney Tera Heintz argued that the federal government was attempting to usurp constitutional authority over state elections. Judge Evanson ruled that the administration's statutory interpretation was neither persuasive nor consistent with the purpose of federal law.

The ruling represents the 25th nationwide defeat for the Justice Department in similar efforts to obtain private voter information. Attorney General Nick Brown characterized the decision as a victory for the rule of law, while Secretary of State Steve Hobbs maintained that the federal government lacks the authority to interfere with state election administration.