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Judge Halts Trump Voter Investigations in Nine States

By Drooid · Oct 22, 2026, 10:51 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Martínez-Olguín Halts Voter Investigations

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín ordered the Trump administration to halt voter-investigations in nine states.
The injunction covers California, Connecticut, Georgia, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin.
Judge Martínez-Olguín said the data is error-filled and intimidates voter-assistance groups.
She ordered the injunction to remain in effect until polls close on Nov. 3.
The pause lasts until Friday to give the administration time to appeal.

Summary

UNC Settles Probes

UNC-Chapel Hill settled with President Donald Trump’s administration, ending 18 civil-rights probes through Dec 2028.
UNC appointed Elizabeth Hall as Merit & Civil Rights Administrator to file quarterly DOJ reports.
UNC must provide all Title VI complaints from Oct 7 2023-Oct 19 2026 within 90 days.
Masks that hide identity are banned at protests, with exceptions and ID checks.
Violations give UNC 15 days to cure, after which a mediated settlement with possible costs may follow.

History

Historical Context

After the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Congress amended it five times, notably extending its special provisions and adding a nationwide ban on literacy tests in the 1970 amendments signed by President Nixon. The 2024 injunction by Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín halted nine-state voter investigations, and UNC-Chapel Hill’s settlement over Title VI data reflects the enduring push to enforce the Act’s protections.

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Martínez-Olguín Halts Voter Investigations

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín ordered the Trump administration to halt voter-investigations in nine states.
The injunction covers California, Connecticut, Georgia, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin.
Judge Martínez-Olguín said the data is error-filled and intimidates voter-assistance groups.
She ordered the injunction to remain in effect until polls close on Nov. 3.
The pause lasts until Friday to give the administration time to appeal.

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