Story perspectives

Judges Dismiss DOJ Voter List Suits, Protect Privacy

5/22/2026

Summary

Judges Dismiss DOJ

On May 21, 2026, Judge James D. Peterson dismissed the Justice Department (DOJ) suit for Wisconsin’s voter list, ruling Title III does not require the state to turn over the data.
Judge Lance Walker dismissed the DOJ suit for Maine’s voter list, finding no authority under HAVA or the Help America Vote Act.
Both decisions, a DOJ effort against 30 states and D.C., were praised by voting-rights groups for protecting privacy.

Summary

Judge Rejects Trump

A federal judge rejected the U.S. President Donald Trump administration’s request that 30 states and D.C. hand over voter data, marking the eighth defeat.
DOJ Civil Rights chief Harmeet Dhillon, a former Trump election-denial lawyer, led the lawsuits seeking the data.
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democratic gubernatorial hopeful, called the dismissal a personal victory and warned that concentrating election power in the presidency threatens democracy.

History

Historical Context

The 1965 Voting Rights Act required preclearance for jurisdictions with voting histories. In 2013, Chief Justice John Roberts led a 5-4 Court in Shelby County v. Holder to strike the coverage formula, leading to closures of nearly 1,000 polling places and voter-ID laws. In 2026, Judges James D. Peterson and Lance Walker invoked Shelby to block DOJ subpoenas for voter lists in Wisconsin and Maine.

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Judges Dismiss DOJ

On May 21, 2026, Judge James D. Peterson dismissed the Justice Department (DOJ) suit for Wisconsin’s voter list, ruling Title III does not require the state to turn over the data.
Judge Lance Walker dismissed the DOJ suit for Maine’s voter list, finding no authority under HAVA or the Help America Vote Act.
Both decisions, a DOJ effort against 30 states and D.C., were praised by voting-rights groups for protecting privacy.

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