Federal Judge Dismisses DOJ Lawsuit Demanding California Voter Rolls
A federal judge has dismissed a U.S. Justice Department lawsuit demanding California turn over its voter rolls, calling the request “unprecedented and illegal” and accusing the federal government of trying to “abridge the right of many Americans to cast their ballots.” The ruling, made by U.S. District Judge David O. Carter, a Clinton appointee based in Santa Ana, questioned the Justice Department’s motivations and called its lawsuit demanding voter data from California Secretary of State Shirley Weber not just an overreach into state-run elections, but a threat to American democracy.
Concerns Over Voter Suppression and Democracy
Carter expressed concerns that the centralization of voter information by the federal government would have a chilling effect on voter registration, leading to decreased voter turnout as voters fear their information is being used for inappropriate or unlawful purposes. This risk, according to Carter, threatens the right to vote, which is the cornerstone of American democracy. The judge also noted that the erosion of democracy often occurs gradually, with incremental actions that collectively undermine the democratic process.
The Justice Department’s lawsuit was part of a broader effort to “clean up the voter rolls nationally,” according to Assistant Atty. Gen. Harmeet Dhillon, who heads the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. However, California Secretary of State Shirley Weber has vowed to protect the state’s election laws and the privacy of its voters, stating that she will continue to challenge the administration’s actions, which she believes disregard the rule of law and the right to vote.
Background and Context
The lawsuit was filed in September after Weber refused to hand over detailed voter information for approximately 23 million Californians. The Justice Department alleged that Weber was unlawfully preventing federal authorities from ensuring state compliance with federal voting regulations and safeguarding federal elections against fraud. However, Carter found that the Justice Department provided no explanation for why unredacted voter files for millions of Californians were necessary for their investigation.
The lawsuit followed an executive order by President Trump in March that required voters to provide proof of citizenship and ordered states to disregard mail ballots not received by election day. Trump has made allegations of widespread voter fraud and voting by noncitizens in California, despite a lack of evidence. The Justice Department’s actions have been met with criticism, with many viewing them as an attempt to suppress voter turnout and undermine the democratic process.
For more information on this developing story, visit Here
Image Source: www.latimes.com
