Since the beginning of the second Trump Administration, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued requests for states provide registered voters’ personal data.
This data could then be shared with the Department of Homeland Security for criminal and immigration investigations.
California was among the states that received these requests. The DOJ requested data that included voters’ full name, date of birth, home address, and either their state driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. The DOJ claimed the data was necessary to ensure compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1960, National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).
California declined to provide the data, stating that:
(1) California law prohibited disclosure of the full, unredacted voter file;
(2) the state was not required to hand over the requested data under the NVRA; and
(3) California was fully compliant with the NVRA’s list maintenance provisions.
The California Secretary of State offered the DOJ the opportunity to inspect the data, in person, provided privacy protections were in place.
On September 25, 2025, the DOJ filed a federal lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The department sought an order requiring the CA Secretary of State to disclose the data and declaring that any state law barring disclosure was preempted by federal law.
On October 20, 2025, the League of Women Voters of California (LWVC), filed a motion to intervene in the case to defend voters’ personal information. LWVC argued disclosure of the data would threaten voter privacy and voter engagement. Additionally, LWVC alleged release of the data would impair its important voter registration and civic education work.
On January 15, 2026, the Court granted the League's Motion to Dismiss, stating "Given that the DOJ's request violates federal privacy laws, leave to amend would be futile."
LWVC was represented in this matter by the ACLU of Northern California, ACLU of Southern California, and the ACLU Voting Rights Project.