Particle.news
Download on the App Store
9 ARTICLES
·
3d ago

Justice Department Sues Orange County Registrar for Withholding Noncitizen Voter Data

The lawsuit argues state privacy protections cannot override federal law requiring unredacted records to verify removal of ineligible voters.

Image
Image
Image
An election worker sorts mail-in ballots for the 2024 Presidential election in Martinez, California, US, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. The 2024 presidential campaign was marked by two assassination attempts, a candidate switch, divisive rhetoric and warnings about the fate of democracy. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

Overview

  • The DOJ filed suit on June 25 against Registrar Robert Page for allegedly violating the Help America Vote Act and National Voter Registration Act by providing redacted records on noncitizen voter removals dating back to January 2020.
  • Orange County’s response included omitting driver’s license numbers, Social Security numbers, voter ID data and signature images under California privacy statutes.
  • County lawyers offered a confidentiality agreement to limit use of sensitive data but Page formally declined to supply unredacted documents by the June 20 deadline.
  • The legal action follows President Trump’s March executive order directing proof of citizenship for voter registration and heightened federal oversight of voter roll maintenance.
  • The case will determine whether federal transparency mandates under election laws preempt state restrictions on disclosing voters’ private information.