DOJ loses bid to get access to D.C. voting lists

The Washington TimesParty-alignedCenter5 hr. ago

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., denied the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) request to obtain the city's complete voter list, ruling that the agency lacked legal authority to compel the city to provide sensitive personal information such as names, birthdates, and identification numbers. The decision was handed down by District Judge Randolph Moss, an Obama appointee, who stated that while the Civil Rights Act of 1960 allowed the DOJ to request individual voter registrations, it did not authorize access to the city's comprehensive voter list. This marks another setback for the Trump administration's efforts to scrutinize voter eligibility. The DOJ sought the data to cross-check against federal databases and identify potentially ineligible voters, such as deceased individuals or non-citizens. The judge emphasized that the voter lists, created by states from registration records, do not 'come into' the possession of election officials and thus are not covered by the 1960 law. Similar requests in Maryland and Virginia also faced rejection, with rulings issued by Trump-appointed judges.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the legal arguments and judicial decisions without overtly favoring either side. It reports on the DOJ's legal claim and the judge's reasoning without editorializing. While the issue has political implications due to its connection to voter integrity and选举权

CBS News (US)IndependentCenter10 hr. ago

The Trump administration has pursued legal actions in 30 states and the District of Columbia to obtain complete, unredacted voter registration lists containing sensitive personal information. These efforts are based on claims that the data is necessary to enforce federal voting laws. However, the Justice Department has faced significant setbacks, losing 20 cases where federal judges ruled against obtaining unredacted voter rolls. Some states, like Oklahoma, have reached agreements to release data, while others continue litigation. The administration has appealed many of these rulings, but so far, only one appellate court has upheld a dismissal. These actions are part of broader efforts to increase presidential control over election processes, including executive orders and proposed legislation like the SAVE America Act.

Bias read (Center): While the issue of voter data access is politically charged, the article presents factual developments and judicial outcomes without overtly favoring either side. It reports on the administration's legal strategies, the responses from various states, and the judicial rulings without taking a clear立场