Judge Dismisses DOJ Lawsuit Seeking Georgia Voter Data

U.S. District Judge Ashley Royal dismissed a lawsuit filed by the United States Department of Justice on Friday that sought detailed voter registration data from Georgia. The Justice Department had requested sensitive information, including Social Security and driver's license numbers, as part of a broader federal effort involving 24 states and the District of Columbia to ensure election security.

Judge Royal ruled the lawsuit was filed in the wrong venue, stating the government should have sued in Atlanta rather than Macon. The case was dismissed without prejudice, meaning the Justice Department can refile the action in the Northern District of Georgia.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger refused to release the data, arguing that state law prohibits the disclosure of confidential personal information. The legal dispute occurs as Raffensperger considers a 2026 gubernatorial campaign and faces pressure from a state Senate committee that advanced a resolution calling for the data's release. The Trump administration maintains that the voter lists are necessary for election integrity and that states are violating federal law by withholding them.