A new federal lawsuit says the Department of Homeland Security obtained voter files from at least 47 states. This allegedly happened despite officials in 30 states refusing those demands. The lawsuit says this collection violates federal law. It also says the agency ignored privacy safeguards. The case was filed in federal court in Washington D.C. The filing occurred on a Thursday. It comes less than three weeks before Election Day.
The suit names the League of Women Voters as a plaintiff. The Electronic Privacy Information Center is also involved. The League of United Latin American Citizens joined the legal challenge. They argue the administration handled the data improperly. The complaint alleges DHS combined voter records with commercial datasets. This mixing of data ignores federal privacy rules. It affects the rights of millions of Americans.
President Trump has argued noncitizen voting is a major threat. He claims it undermines election integrity. However, studies show such instances are rare. Prosecutions have found very few documented cases. The administration seeks a greater federal role in elections. This shifts power from states to the federal government. States traditionally oversee voter eligibility under the Constitution. Federal courts have repeatedly rejected these federal demands. Judges have blocked efforts to force states to share data.
The new lawsuit asks the court to act quickly. It urges a declaration that the data collection is illegal. The plaintiffs want to block the DHS policy. They also seek an order to delete the data. The agency must stop using the information it already has. This legal fight intensifies as the election nears. The administration continues to pressure state officials. It claims they are not purging noncitizens fast enough.
On that same Thursday, the Justice Department sued California. The suit argues California moved too slowly on voter reviews. The federal government identified roughly 20,000 likely noncitizens. The Justice Department asked a judge to block their ballots. This block would last until eligibility is confirmed. The California secretary of state pushed back hard. The office said it had only 48 hours to review the names. Officials said the federal government gave no evidence. They noted the methodology was not shared.
The Justice Department claims high confidence in its findings. It states that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reviewed the data. This review was described as multiagency and multilevel. The administration says the 20,000 people are likely noncitizens. DHS did not respond to requests for comment. The Associated Press contributed to the reporting. The legal battle over voter data is now public. The court must decide if federal overreach occurred. The outcome could reshape how states handle voter rolls.
The core issue is who controls the voter file. The plaintiffs say the federal government crossed a line. They argue privacy laws were broken in the process. The administration says it is protecting election integrity. Both sides are now fighting in federal court. The data from 47 states is at the center. The privacy of millions hangs in the balance. The judge will weigh the evidence soon. The clock is ticking toward Election Day.
The lawsuit highlights a tension between federal and state power. It shows how data collection methods are under scrutiny. The use of commercial data adds another layer. The legality of mixing these datasets is unclear. The plaintiffs believe the current policy is unlawful. They want the data destroyed immediately. The administration insists its methods are sound. It points to the multiagency review process. The truth will emerge through the court system. The notes show a clear divide in approach. One side seeks federal control over voter records. The other defends state autonomy and privacy rights. The final decision rests with the judiciary.