Alaska Lawsuit Challenges Voter Roll Data Sharing with DOJ

Voting rights groups, including the League of Women Voters of Alaska and the Alaska Black Caucus, have filed a lawsuit against Alaska elections officials for their decision to share the state's full voter registration list with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The lawsuit, initiated in state court, claims that this action violates the Alaska state constitution by compromising voters' privacy and due process rights.

Associated PressAlaska Officials Sued for Turning Voter Rolls Over to DOJVoting rights groups sue Trump administration over Department of Justice voter roll requests

The lawsuit specifically names Alaska's Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom and elections director Carol Beecher as defendants. It asserts that the agreement to provide unredacted voter data, which includes sensitive information such as dates of birth and partial Social Security numbers, poses a risk of improper voter roll purges. The plaintiffs argue that the DOJ's actions could prevent eligible voters from participating in upcoming elections, including the 2026 midterms.

Alaska Officials Sued for Turning Voter Rolls Over to DOJ

Alaska is among at least 12 states that have complied with the DOJ's requests for detailed voter information as part of a broader initiative to maintain accurate voter rolls. This initiative has raised concerns among civil rights advocates, who fear that the data could be misused to identify noncitizens and unjustly remove eligible voters. The DOJ has sued 30 states and the District of Columbia to enforce compliance with its data collection efforts, although several federal courts have dismissed these lawsuits, citing overreach and violations of privacy laws.

Democracy DocketVoting rights groups sue Trump administration over Department of Justice voter roll requestsAlaska Officials Sued for Turning Voter Rolls Over to DOJAssociated Press

Sam Curtis, a spokesperson for the Alaska Department of Law, stated that the state law permits sharing voter information for authorized governmental purposes and emphasized the state's commitment to maintaining accurate voter rolls. In contrast, Eric Glatt, legal director for the ACLU of Alaska, criticized the state's actions, claiming that they represent a failure to protect the rights of voters. He stated, “Rather than fiercely defending the rights of Alaska’s voters, our Division of Elections acceded to federal overreach.”

Associated PressAlaska Officials Sued for Turning Voter Rolls Over to DOJVoting rights groups sue Trump administration over Department of Justice voter roll requests

Critics of the DOJ's initiative argue that it constitutes an unlawful federal takeover of state voter list management. The lawsuit contends that the DOJ's efforts lack statutory authorization and violate principles of federalism and privacy. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the potential for wrongful voter removals based on flawed data, particularly through the use of the Department of Homeland Security's Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database.

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The plaintiffs are seeking a judicial ruling to void the agreement with the DOJ and require the immediate destruction of any shared voter data. As the case unfolds, it may set a significant precedent regarding the balance of power between state and federal authorities in managing voter registration and protecting citizens' privacy rights.

Voting rights groups sue Trump administration over Department of Justice voter roll requests

• “By handing over unredacted voter data and participating in a federal power grab that could trigger improper voter roll purges, the state has put both privacy and democracy at serious risk,” — Theresa J. Lee, ACLU Senior Staff Attorney

Alaska Officials Sued for Turning Voter Rolls Over to DOJ

• “To ensure the integrity of elections, there was a mutual interest in maintaining voters rolls that were accurate and current,” — Rachel Witty, Attorney, Alaska Department of Law

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• “Now, we are asking the court to step in and ensure that DOE upholds its constitutional and legal obligations to Alaskans.” — Eric Glatt, Legal Director, ACLU of Alaska

Associated Press