As the Trump administration looks to expand its power over state elections, the U.S. Department of Justice sued Oklahoma and four other states on Thursday for access to private voter data.
The Department of Justice argues they need the information to ensure states are complying with federal voter list maintenance requirements and not allowing noncitizens to vote in federal elections. Ten states have complied, while a majority, like Oklahoma, have refused the request. Lawsuits are ongoing in 30 states and the District of Columbia.
Oklahoma Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax maintains he’s bound by state law not to disclose any personally identifiable information, regardless of the requestor. The state’s private database includes driver’s license numbers and partial social security numbers.
