Story perspectives

Federal Judge Dismisses Trump's Voter List Lawsuit Again

2/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

A federal judge in Michigan, Hala Jarbou, dismissed the Justice Department's lawsuit seeking voter registration lists, marking the third defeat for the U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
Judge Hala Jarbou ruled that federal laws do not require states to disclose voter registration lists.
The ruling aligns with similar decisions in Oregon and California.
Republicans in Congress are pushing the SAVE Act to tighten election laws, despite Democratic opposition.

History

Historical Context

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting, leading to over 1 million new registered voters in the South by 1966. However, the 2013 Supreme Court ruling in Shelby County v. Holder invalidated key provisions, enabling states to enact restrictive laws. This ongoing struggle for electoral access reflects historical tensions and may influence future legislation like the Republican-led SAVE Act.

1 of 2

Story summary

A federal judge in Michigan, Hala Jarbou, dismissed the Justice Department's lawsuit seeking voter registration lists, marking the third defeat for the U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
Judge Hala Jarbou ruled that federal laws do not require states to disclose voter registration lists.
The ruling aligns with similar decisions in Oregon and California.
Republicans in Congress are pushing the SAVE Act to tighten election laws, despite Democratic opposition.

1 / 2