The Justice Department has filed lawsuits against Oregon and Maine, along with their respective Secretaries of State, alleging violations of federal voting laws by refusing to provide unredacted voter registration lists and maintenance procedures. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon emphasized that states cannot selectively ignore federal requirements, stating, “American citizens have a right to feel confident in the integrity of our electoral process.”

The litigation against Oregon claims Secretary of State Tobias Read failed to comply with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), Help America Vote Act (HAVA), and Civil Rights Act of 1960 by withholding electronic voter registration data and details on list maintenance. Similarly, Maine’s Secretary of State Shenna Bellows faces allegations for refusing to share removal records of ineligible voters and unredacted state lists. Both states reportedly provided similar information to a private organization, raising questions about transparency.

The Justice Department has expanded its efforts to obtain statewide voter databases, requesting data from around two dozen states. While some have shared redacted versions of their lists, federal officials have demanded copies containing personally identifiable details, including names, birth dates, and driver’s license numbers. The department also threatened legal action against Minnesota and California.

Maine’s Bellows condemned the move, calling it an “abuse of power” and highlighting her state’s reputation for robust elections. Oregon’s Read echoed similar sentiments, stating that secretaries of state across party lines are resisting what they describe as overreach. The lawsuits underscore a growing tension between federal authorities and states regarding access to voter data.