Trump Quest for Voter Data Spurs Lawsuits, a Raid and Jail Risk [View all]
Source: Bloomberg
February 1, 2026 at 11:11 AM EST
The recent FBI raid of a Georgia county election office is a precursor to battles ahead as President Donald Trump’s administration steps up efforts to obtain sensitive voter information from states. The effort has set up legal showdowns with 24 states and Washington, DC, with the Justice Department suing them for refusing to turn over voter data. The administration has also sued Fulton County, Georgia, for records related to the 2020 election.
The Democratic National Committee, meanwhile, has said it may take action against states that do turn over data if that violates voter rights. In turn, the Justice Department’s civil rights chief said the DNC could face repercussions — laying the groundwork for a significant clash before November’s midterm elections.
The matter could eventually wind its way to the Supreme Court, as the US Constitution says states establish the times, places and manner of congressional elections but allows for Congress to alter those regulations.
US officials say they’re trying to ensure election integrity. But the states say the demands are too broad and could impact the vote — the Justice Department seeks not only names and addresses but voter birth dates, driver’s license information and partial Social Security numbers. “I won’t turn the data over, consequences be damned,” Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said in an interview. “It wouldn’t surprise me if they have plans to throw civil actors and civil servants like me in jail.”
Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-01/trump-quest-for-voter-data-spurs-lawsuits-a-raid-and-jail-risk
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