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6th Circuit Bars DOJ Access to Michigan Voter Rolls

6/25/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a district-court order blocking the Justice Department from obtaining Michigan’s voter registration list.
Judge Andre Mathus wrote the majority, joined by Judge Guy Cole Jr., holding Title III of the 1960 Civil Rights Act does not authorize the request.
Justice Department said the rolls were needed to verify compliance with the Help America Vote Act and National Voter Registration Act.

History

Historical Context

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act on August 6 1965, placing federal monitors over voter registration in 13 Southern states. Decades later, the Justice Department used Title III of the 1960 Civil Rights Act to demand voter rolls, a practice the Supreme Court upheld in United States v. Texas (1975). The 6th Circuit’s recent refusal revives that precedent, limiting DOJ’s ability to enforce the Help America Vote Act and NVRA.

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Story summary

The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a district-court order blocking the Justice Department from obtaining Michigan’s voter registration list.
Judge Andre Mathus wrote the majority, joined by Judge Guy Cole Jr., holding Title III of the 1960 Civil Rights Act does not authorize the request.
Justice Department said the rolls were needed to verify compliance with the Help America Vote Act and National Voter Registration Act.

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