DOJ Challenges Dismissal of Voter Data Lawsuit in Arizona
In a legal battle that continues to unfold, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has appealed a federal court’s dismissal of its lawsuit aimed at acquiring Arizona’s voter registration data. The DOJ’s appeal follows Judge Susan Brnovich’s ruling in April, which rejected the administration’s request for access to sensitive voter information, including social security numbers. The legal skirmish is part of the federal government’s broader initiative to construct a national database for citizenship verification.
Judge Brnovich, a Trump appointee, sided with Arizona’s top officials, Attorney General Kris Mayes and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, both Democrats, who challenged the federal demand on the basis of privacy laws. Brnovich concluded that the DOJ’s request extended beyond what is legally permissible under federal law. This aligns with decisions from other judges who have dismissed similar federal lawsuits in states such as Maine, Wisconsin, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon, and Rhode Island.
The DOJ’s appeal was filed with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Responding to the appeal, Secretary of State Fontes criticized the move as “legally futile,” and accused the DOJ of engaging in “ongoing political theater,” potentially burdening Arizona taxpayers.
While Fontes acknowledged that some of the data in question is publicly accessible, he countered accusations of withholding information by stating that the DOJ has not requested the publicly available data. The appeal underscores ongoing tensions between state and federal authorities over voter data privacy and access.
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