Civil Rights Groups Sue Trump Administration Over Voter Data

The League of Women Voters, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, and the League of United Latin American Citizens filed a federal lawsuit in Washington, D.C., on October 15, 2026, challenging the Trump administration's collection of American voter data. The plaintiffs allege the Department of Homeland Security illegally obtained voter files from at least 47 states and merged them with commercial datasets to create a voter-fraud dragnet that feeds sensitive information into immigration enforcement systems.

Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters, stated that the administration is weaponizing voter data and undermining public trust. The lawsuit seeks a court order to declare the collection illegal, block the policy, and force the deletion of the compiled data.

Simultaneously, the United States Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against California to compel the state to turn over 20,000 voter records of individuals the administration identifies as likely noncitizens. The federal government is seeking to block California from counting mail ballots for these individuals ahead of the midterm elections. California's secretary of state reported receiving the names with only 48 hours' notice and no supporting evidence.

Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the legal action as a desperate attempt to suppress voters, while the LA County Clerk announced a refusal to access a thumb drive containing the names of the suspected noncitizens.