Georgia Federal Judge Dismisses DOJ’s Voter Data Lawsuit
In a pivotal ruling, a federal judge in Georgia has dismissed a lawsuit by the U.S. Justice Department aimed at acquiring voter information from the state. The case was dismissed on the grounds that it was filed in an incorrect jurisdiction, marking a significant procedural setback for the federal government.
U.S. District Judge Ashley Royal determined that the lawsuit should have been filed in Atlanta, where Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has his main office, rather than in Macon. As a result, the lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice, allowing the Justice Department the option to refile.
The Justice Department, which did not comment on the dismissal, has been actively pursuing similar lawsuits against 24 states and the District of Columbia. These lawsuits are part of an effort to collect extensive voting data, including personal identifiers like birth dates and Social Security numbers. However, the initiative has faced legal challenges, including a dismissal in California over privacy concerns and potential dismissal in Oregon.
The Trump administration argues that these lawsuits are critical for ensuring election security. The Justice Department contends that states are in breach of federal law by withholding voter information. Despite this, Secretary of State Raffensperger has resisted the demand, citing Georgia’s legal safeguards on voter privacy.
Raffensperger stated, “I will always follow the law and follow the Constitution. I won’t violate the oath I took to stand up for the people of this state, regardless of who or what compels me to do otherwise.” His refusal to release the requested data has become a focal point in his campaign for governor in 2026.
The issue gained attention in a recent state Senate committee hearing, where Republican senators criticized Raffensperger for his non-compliance. The committee advanced a resolution urging him to release the data, labeling his refusal as part of a pattern of avoiding oversight.
State Sen. Randy Robertson, who authored the resolution, expressed frustration over the dismissal, noting that it prolongs resolution of the issue. He asserted, “As public officials we all should participate in any investigation done by a law enforcement agency.”
Robertson, along with other Republican lawmakers, supports Lt. Gov. Burt Jones for the GOP governor nomination over Raffensperger. Jones, endorsed by Trump, was among the Republicans who signed a certificate declaring Trump the winner of Georgia in the 2020 election.
