Story perspectives

Judge Dismisses DOJ Suit, Citing Arizona Voter Privacy

4/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. District Judge Susan Brnovich dismissed the Justice Department’s lawsuit for Arizona’s voter registration database, ruling it cannot be refiled.
Brnovich said Title III of the Civil Rights Act does not require states to supply a compiled voter database, making amendment futile.
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes called the ruling a victory for voter privacy.

History

Historical Context

The 1993 National Voter Registration Act required states to accept the federal voter-registration form and spurred the Help America Vote Act of 2002, which gave the Election Assistance Commission oversight. After the Supreme Court invalidated Arizona’s proof-of-citizenship rule in 2013, Judge Susan Brnovich dismissed the DOJ’s 2024 suit, reinforcing state autonomy championed by Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. Six states now qualify for NVRA exemptions.

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Story summary

U.S. District Judge Susan Brnovich dismissed the Justice Department’s lawsuit for Arizona’s voter registration database, ruling it cannot be refiled.
Brnovich said Title III of the Civil Rights Act does not require states to supply a compiled voter database, making amendment futile.
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes called the ruling a victory for voter privacy.

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