The justice department is not entitled to sensitive information on California voters, a federal judge ruled on Thursday, writing that the administration’s efforts to obtain the information on voters in the state is a threat to democracy. The Trump administration has filed similar lawsuits in nearly half of US states.
Last summer, the justice department asked California for a list of all voters, including their dates of birth and the last four digits of their social security number, claiming the information was needed to ensure the state was keeping ineligible voters off its rolls. California’s secretary of state offered to let the justice department inspect a redacted version of the voter registration list, but refused to turn over all of the requested information. The justice department responded by filing a lawsuit against the state and went on to file similar litigation in 23 states and the District of Columbia.
