Judge Calvert Blocks DOJ Access to Georgia Voter Rolls in Privacy Ruling
Federal judge dismissed DOJ's lawsuit seeking Georgia voter data on Sept 30, 2026.
Why it matters: This ruling clarifies that states retain control over voter data privacy despite federal demands, impacting election law compliance and advising for data privacy in voter information handling.
- U.S. District Judge Victoria Calvert dismissed DOJ's lawsuit on Sept 30, 2026, citing federal law does not override Georgia's voter privacy laws.
- DOJ sought detailed voter data including birthdates and driver's license numbers; Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger refused access, citing state laws.
- At least 11 federal courts have denied similar DOJ attempts to access state voter rolls, reflecting a judicial trend.
- DOJ has requested voter lists from 47 states, sued 30, but only 16 states have provided data in full.
On September 30, 2026, U.S. District Judge Victoria Marie Calvert dismissed the Department of Justice's lawsuit seeking Georgia's entire voter registration database. The DOJ requested sensitive information such as voters’ birthdates, addresses, and driver's license numbers. Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger refused access, citing state voter privacy protections.
Judge Calvert ruled that federal law does not preempt Georgia's state-level voter data privacy statutes, affirming that states retain primary control over their election information. This decision aligns with rulings from at least 11 other federal courts that similarly rejected DOJ lawsuits aimed at obtaining state voter rolls. These precedents establish a significant judicial pushback against federal requests for detailed voter data.
The DOJ has sought voter registration lists from 47 states, filing lawsuits against 30 to enforce compliance. However, only 16 states have fully complied with these requests, illustrating ongoing tensions between federal demands and state data privacy safeguards.
As reported by Reuters, legal observers emphasize that this ruling protects sensitive voter data from federal overreach and supports state sovereignty in election administration. According to the court filings, the judge highlighted that these efforts potentially undermine voter privacy norms that states have established.
This decision has important implications for legal professionals working in election law, compliance, and data privacy. It signals increased judicial scrutiny of federal attempts to access voter information and reinforces the need for firms and government counsel to navigate evolving state-federal dynamics carefully in handling voter data requests.
By the numbers:
- Sept 30, 2026 — Date U.S. District Judge Victoria Calvert dismissed DOJ's lawsuit against Georgia
- 47 states — Number from which DOJ has requested voter lists
- 16 states — Number of states that have fully complied with DOJ's voter data requests
Yes, but: While this ruling limits federal access to state voter data in Georgia, the DOJ continues to pursue similar requests in other jurisdictions, and the legal landscape remains contested.
What's next: Further court rulings are expected in ongoing cases involving other states, potentially shaping nationwide voter data privacy standards.