CA, US & World

DOJ Sues Maine and Oregon Over Voter Roll Dispute

DOJ Sues Maine and Oregon Over Voter Roll Dispute

The Department of Justice announced Tuesday that it is suing Maine and Oregon over their refusal to provide full voter rolls to the Trump administration. The lawsuits mark a significant escalation in a months-long conflict between federal officials and state election leaders over access to sensitive voter data.

Harmeet Dhillon, head of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, defended the move, saying states cannot selectively comply with federal election laws. “American citizens have a right to feel confident in the integrity of our electoral process, and the refusal of certain states to protect their citizens against vote dilution will result in legal consequences,” she said.

The DOJ has requested unredacted voter rolls from states, including birth dates and partial Social Security numbers, raising widespread concerns about privacy and potential federal overreach. Election officials nationwide argue that states hold primary authority over elections under the Constitution.

This push comes as President Donald Trump seeks to expand the federal role in elections ahead of the 2026 midterms. His administration has supported rare mid-decade redistricting efforts in GOP-controlled states, with Missouri recently becoming the second state to redraw congressional maps. Democrats in California have launched their own redistricting initiatives in response.

Oregon’s Democratic Secretary of State Tobias Read rejected the federal demand. “If the President wants to use the DOJ to go after his political opponents and undermine our elections, I look forward to seeing them in court,” he said. Maine’s Democratic Secretary of State Shenna Bellows echoed the opposition, calling the federal government’s action an abuse of power.

According to the DOJ, both states have also withheld additional data, including information about ineligible voters. With Republicans holding only a slim majority in the House, the outcome of these legal battles could shape election rules in critical ways leading into the next cycle.

Credit: CNN Newsource

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.

By: CNN Newsource

September 16, 2025

DOJ sues MaineDOJ sues Oregonvoter rolls lawsuitDepartment of Justice electionsHarmeet Dhillon DOJTobias Read OregonShenna Bellows Mainevoter privacyTrump election oversight2026 midterms redistrictingThe Department of Justice announced Tuesday that it is suing Maine and Oregon over their refusal to provide full voter rolls to the Trump administration The lawsuits mark a significant escalation in a monthslong conflict between federal officials and state election leaders over access to sensitive voter data Harmeet Dhillonhead of the DOJs Civil Rights Divisiondefended the movesaying states cannot selectively comply with federal election laws American citizens have a right to feel confident in the integrity of our electoral processand the refusal of certain states to protect their citizens against vote dilution will result in legal consequencesshe said The DOJ has requested unredacted voter rolls from statesincluding birth dates and partial Social Security numbersraising widespread concerns about privacy and potential federal overreach Election officials nationwide argue that states hold primary authority over elections under the Constitution This push comes as President Donald Trump seeks to expand the federal role in elections ahead of the 2026 midterms His administration has supported rare middecade redistricting efforts in GOPcontrolled stateswith Missouri recently becoming the second state to redraw congressional maps Democrats in California have launched their own redistricting initiatives in response Oregons Democratic Secretary of State Tobias Read rejected the federal demand If the President wants to use the DOJ to go after his political opponents and undermine our electionsI look forward to seeing them in courthe said Maines Democratic Secretary of State Shenna Bellows echoed the oppositioncalling the federal governments action an abuse of power According to the DOJboth states have also withheld additional dataincluding information about ineligible voters With Republicans holding only a slim majority in the Housethe outcome of these legal battles could shape election rules in critical ways leading into the next cycle Credit CNN Newsource Explore NBCPalmSpringscomwhere we are connecting the Valley
Link Copied To Clipboard!
Latest Instagram Posts
187

BREAKING NEWS 🚨: Calvin Harris officially rescheduled for Head Trip day 2 #headtripfestival #calvinharris #severeweather #tropicalstorm #indio

170

Attendees are returning to the Empire Polo Grounds for day 2 of the EDM festival, ‘Head Trip’, after performances were stopped last night due to severe weather. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs to see how the weather is affecting festival goers’ plans. #headtripfestival #severeweather #flashfloodalert #760 #nbcpalmsprings

529

Overnight Flooding Hits Palm Springs Heavy rain brought flooding to Palm Springs overnight, prompting police to shut down Indian Canyon due to flooding. Much of this video shows conditions along the Indian Canyon corridor as water inundated roadways. Drivers are urged to use caution and watch for changing conditions.

1804

BREAKING NEWS: Head Trip Festival in Indio suspended its show Saturday night due to approaching severe weather and lightning. A message displayed on the stage screens announced: “Attention in the festival, this is a lightning alert. The show is suspended due to lightning.” Festivalgoers were told to leave the Empire Polo Club venue and return to their cars and camps. The festival was expected to draw approximately 70,000 attendees overall, though the number asked to leave Saturday night has not been confirmed. It remains unclear when attendees will be allowed back inside or whether scheduled performances, including headliners Calvin Harris and Swedish House Mafia, will proceed as planned. The suspension comes as Tropical Storm Rachel brings rain and potential flooding concerns to Southern California. Stay with NBC Palm Springs for updates. #BreakingNews #HeadTripFestival #Indio #CoachellaValley #TropicalStormRachel WeatherAlert CalvinHarris NBCPalmSprings

171

BREAKING NEWS: Thalia Hayden and Jerry Steffen break down the latest forecast for Tropical Storm Rachel as it moves through eastern Riverside County Sunday morning. The Coachella Valley could see more than an inch of rain, raising concerns about flooding. The heaviest rainfall is expected from midnight through noon Sunday, with showers tapering off by Sunday evening. Stay with NBC Palm Springs for the latest updates. #TropicalStormRachel #BreakingNews #CoachellaValley #PalmSprings #WeatherAlert FloodWarning SouthernCaliforniaWeather NBCPalmSprings ThaliaHayden JerrySteffen

149

🌧️ Tropical Storm Rachel is bringing the threat of heavy rain and flooding to the Coachella Valley. Thalia and Jerry break down the hour-by-hour forecast, with the heaviest rainfall expected from midnight through Sunday morning and more than an inch possible in parts of the Valley. Flood watches and warnings remain a concern, with showers expected to taper off by Sunday evening. Stay weather-aware and stay with NBC Palm Springs for the latest updates! ⛈️ #TropicalStormRachel #CoachellaValley #WeatherAlert #NBCPalmSprings

188

🌊 Tropical Storm Rachel is bringing dangerous surf, flooding and destruction to Southern California’s coast. In Long Beach, parts of the boardwalk have been ripped apart, while a badly damaged home is on the verge of collapse. Newport Beach has declared a local emergency after pounding waves flooded at least 10 blocks of the Balboa Peninsula. Officials are urging people to stay away as the threat continues. 🌧️ #HurricaneRachel #SouthernCalifornia #LongBeach #NewportBeach #CoachellaValley

Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) Ivan Garza with the deep pass TD, 2) Damian Walls with the 99 yard touchdown throw, 3) Jadarius Hester with the punt return TD, 4) James Madden with the 60 plus yard rushing TD, or 5) Kingston Pellum with the contested catch #hondaofthedesert #fnl #fridaynightlights #fyp #highschoolfootball
326

Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) Ivan Garza with the deep pass TD, 2) Damian Walls with the 99 yard touchdown throw, 3) Jadarius Hester with the punt return TD, 4) James Madden with the 60 plus yard rushing TD, or 5) Kingston Pellum with the contested catch #hondaofthedesert #fnl #fridaynightlights #fyp #highschoolfootball

70

Tim O’Brien introduces Game 2 as the Coachella Valley Firebirds take on the San Diego Gulls! #CVFirebirds #FirebirdsHockey #SanDiegoGulls #AHL #hockeynight

66

Hurricane Isaias is bringing worsening conditions to Gulf Shores, Alabama, with strong tropical storm-force winds and heavy rain. CNN’s Isabel Rosales describes the intense conditions as the storm approaches. #HurricaneIsaias #SevereWeather #Alabama

DOJ Sues Maine and Oregon Over Voter Roll Dispute