Trump lost 23 legal battles over voter data. Now DOJ is demanding election officials hand it over

Key Points:

• The Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Trump administration has lost 23 consecutive court battles seeking access to sensitive voter files across 30 states, with no federal judge granting their requests.
• Following these defeats, the DOJ has sent warning letters to election officials in multiple states, claiming investigations and ongoing litigation related to 2024 election records, which officials like Utah’s Lt. Governor and Nevada’s Secretary of State have criticized as baseless intimidation.
• The DOJ insists the letters are standard litigation practice to prevent destruction of election records under the Civil Rights Act, but courts have ruled the federal government lacks authority to collect state voter data, which includes sensitive personal information.
• Election officials and experts argue the DOJ’s actions are disruptive and unwarranted, with some viewing the letters as meaningless or attempts to pressure states into retaining more data than legally required.
• Despite repeated legal losses, the DOJ continues to appeal rulings, including a recent appeal after a West Virginia judge dismissed the government’s case, expressing frustration over the DOJ’s nationwide litigation strategy.