Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the Justice Department may take legal action to the Supreme Court after losing 22 cases regarding access to state voter rolls.
Key facts
- •The Justice Department has lost 22 cases in its attempt to gain broad access to state voter rolls.
- •Federal requests for voter data include names, residential addresses, and partial Social Security numbers.
- •The department has sued 30 states and Washington, D.C. for refusing to comply with the executive order.
- •Attorney General Todd Blanche was confirmed by the Senate after renouncing a proposed $2 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund.
- •Blanche previously served as President Trump's personal attorney in a New York City case involving 34 felony counts.
Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday that the Justice Department is considering asking the Supreme Court to intervene in dozens of cases where federal efforts to access state voter rolls have been blocked. The department has lost 22 cases so far, with judges ruling against federal attempts to obtain voter data ahead of the November midterm elections.
By the numbers
Background on Voter Roll Litigation
The legal disputes arise from an executive order signed by President Trump requiring states to provide voter roll information, including names, birth dates, addresses, driver’s license numbers, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers. The Justice Department maintains it needs this data to investigate potential election anomalies or noncitizen registration. While some states complied, the department has sued 30 states and Washington, D.C. for refusal.
State Opposition and Political Context
States, including Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Georgia, and Vermont, have resisted the federal requests, arguing that election administration is a state responsibility. Vermont Governor Phil Scott previously stated that state leaders are better positioned to manage elections than the federal government. Attorney General Blanche defended the department's actions, stating that ensuring election fairness is a priority and that the DOJ must monitor for constitutional violations at the state level.
Blanche's Confirmation and Department Integrity
Blanche was confirmed by the Senate earlier this month following a deal with GOP senators regarding a proposed $2 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund, which Blanche confirmed is 'dead.' Democrats have raised concerns regarding Blanche's previous role as President Trump's personal attorney and his potential independence. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the department under Blanche, while Blanche asserted he would act with integrity and stated the president has never asked him to perform illegal or unethical acts.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by NBC Politics.
