Federal Lawsuits Filed Against Oregon and Maine
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed lawsuits against Oregon and Maine, accusing both states of violating federal election laws by refusing to provide voter roll data. The lawsuit against Oregon names the state and Secretary of State Tobias Read as defendants, alleging they failed to supply voter registration lists and information on how those lists are maintained.
“States simply cannot pick and choose which federal laws they will comply with, including our voting laws, which ensure that all American citizens have equal access to the ballot in federal elections,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. “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.”
Alleged Violations of Federal Law
The DOJ argues that Oregon violated several federal statutes, including the National Voter Registration Act, the Help America Vote Act, and the Civil Rights Act of 1960. Specifically, the lawsuit claims Oregon refused to provide:
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A current unredacted copy of its voter registration list.
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Information about how the state maintains its voter rolls.
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Registration details of individuals deemed ineligible to vote.
Federal officials say this information is necessary to enforce election laws and ensure that ineligible voters are not included on voter rolls.
Oregon Pushes Back
When asked for comment, Secretary of State Tobias Read’s office said it had not yet received the lawsuit. Read issued a sharp response, calling the DOJ’s actions politically motivated.
“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,” Read said. “I stand by my oath to the people of Oregon, and I will protect their rights and privacy.”
A spokesperson for Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield confirmed his office had received the lawsuit and would review it with Secretary Read.
Dispute Over Data Requests
The lawsuit follows months of tension between Oregon and federal officials. In July, the DOJ sent multiple letters to Read, requesting information on voter registration practices and urging Oregon to enter into an information-sharing agreement.
One letter, dated July 10, asked for details on individuals who may have registered or voted despite being ineligible — such as non-citizens or those with felony convictions — as well as those suspected of committing election fraud. The DOJ said it planned to use the information to enforce federal election laws.
A subsequent letter on July 16 pressed Oregon to explain how it complies with the National Voter Registration Act, which requires states to offer voter registration opportunities at motor vehicle agencies.
Oregon’s Refusal
In a July 23 response, Secretary Read firmly rejected the DOJ’s request. He argued that election administration is a responsibility granted to the states under both the U.S. and Oregon constitutions.
“As I’m sure you know, our country’s founding fathers specifically tasked the states, not the federal government, with administering free, fair, and secure elections,” Read wrote. “Our office is required by law to protect the integrity of our elections and the rights of Oregonians. I take that responsibility seriously.”
Read added that Oregon had not found evidence of unlawful conduct in its voter rolls and therefore had no data to provide. He also questioned the DOJ’s legal authority to demand the information.
Concerns About Privacy and Federal Overreach
Beyond legal arguments, Read raised concerns about the potential misuse of voter data by the federal government. He pointed to high-profile leaks and what he described as the administration’s reckless handling of sensitive information.
“At best, I do not trust that this current administration is capable of protecting Oregonians’ personal data,” he said. “At worst, I am concerned that this administration will use any data we provide to unlawfully and unjustly violate Oregonians’ rights.”
Read warned that sharing data could lead to harmful consequences, including the separation of families through wrongful detentions or deportations.
What Comes Next
The DOJ lawsuit now moves to federal court, where Oregon will be required to defend its position. The case could set a precedent for how far the federal government can go in compelling states to share voter data.
As both sides prepare for a legal battle, the debate highlights a broader clash between state sovereignty over elections and federal efforts to enforce voting laws. For now, Oregon leaders say they remain committed to protecting voter privacy, while the DOJ insists transparency is essential to maintaining election integrity.
