Federal Judge Tosses DOJ Lawsuit for Oregon’s Sensitive Voter Rolls
A federal judge in Oregon has dismissed a lawsuit. The suit sought sensitive voter information. The U.S. Justice Department filed the action. This is a setback for the administration. U.S. District Judge Mustafa Kasubhai made the ruling. He will issue a written opinion later. The judge granted Oregon’s request to dismiss the case.
DOJ Sought Sensitive Voter Data
The Justice Department sued Oregon in September 2025. It wanted the state’s unredacted voter rolls. This list contains nearly 3.8 million registered voters. It includes personal details. These include addresses and birth dates. Driver’s license numbers are also on the list. Partial Social Security numbers are included. The lawsuit claimed Oregon violated federal voting laws. It alleged the state refused to provide the unredacted rolls. The DOJ invoked the Civil Rights Act of 1960. It sought data to verify compliance.
Oregon’s Defense and Judge’s Reasoning
Oregon officials argued against the DOJ’s request. They said the federal government lacked authority. They also cited privacy laws. Oregon’s Attorney General Dan Rayfield stated this. He said the federal government did not meet the legal standard. Oregon offered a redacted list instead. This list is publicly available. It excludes sensitive personal information. Judge Kasubhai agreed with Oregon. He found the DOJ failed to state a clear basis. The judge cited privacy laws. He noted a lack of federal authority. The court dismissed the case. The federal government never met the legal standard. This was Rayfield’s statement.
Broader Context and Implications
This lawsuit is part of a larger effort. The Trump administration sought voter data from many states. The DOJ demanded lists from over 20 states. It also requested ballots and voting equipment. These demands have raised privacy concerns. Experts warn of potential abuse. Creating a federal database is a concern. It could lead to privacy violations. Some fear data could be used to disenfranchise voters. The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) is relevant. It sets rules for voter registration. States must keep records accurate. However, it does not mandate sharing all personal data. The judge’s ruling is a win for voter privacy. Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read praised the decision. He said the government tried to abuse its power. The administration can appeal the ruling. This news is important for understanding election data. It affects future data requests nationwide.
Key Figures in the Oregon News
U.S. District Judge Mustafa Kasubhai presided. He was appointed by President Joe Biden. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield led the state’s defense. He was elected in 2024. He previously served in the Oregon House. Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read also opposed the DOJ’s demand. He stated the request would violate privacy.
Next Steps and Appeals
The Trump administration may appeal. This could go to the Ninth Circuit. A Supreme Court review is also possible. The Justice Department declined comment. This case highlights ongoing debates. Debates concern federal power and voter data. It shows states pushing back. It is a significant development in Oregon news. The outcome protects sensitive personal information. It affirms state control over voter data. The final written opinion is still pending.
