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Nebraska to Release Voter Data Amid Legal Challenges

2/12/2026

Center

Evnen Releases Voter Data

After Nebraska Supreme Court denied Common Cause's challenge, Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen will release sensitive voter data to the U.S. Department of Justice for checks.
The lawsuit sought to block release of personal information, including Social Security numbers.
A Lancaster County judge dismissed Common Cause's lawsuit for lack of standing.
The case reflects tensions over federal voter data requests, with similar suits dismissed in Michigan and other states.

Right

Judge Blocks Voter Data

Judge Hala Y. Jarbou, a federal judge in Michigan, blocked the Justice Department's attempt to access voter registration data, including names and birth dates.
She dismissed the lawsuit, saying the Justice Department failed to justify its claim under various federal laws.
Jarbou warned that disclosing this information could impose an unconstitutional burden on voting rights.
The ruling follows rejections of Trump administration requests across multiple states, with eleven states complying.

History

Historical Context

The Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting, particularly in the South. By 1970, over 1 million African Americans had registered to vote due to its provisions. Ongoing legal battles, such as those in Nebraska and Michigan, reflect the persistent struggle over voter access and privacy, emphasizing the Act's lasting significance in American democracy.

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Evnen Releases Voter Data

After Nebraska Supreme Court denied Common Cause's challenge, Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen will release sensitive voter data to the U.S. Department of Justice for checks.
The lawsuit sought to block release of personal information, including Social Security numbers.
A Lancaster County judge dismissed Common Cause's lawsuit for lack of standing.
The case reflects tensions over federal voter data requests, with similar suits dismissed in Michigan and other states.

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