NAACP wins in Legal Case Protecting Massachusetts Voters from DOJ

BOSTON - Today, the NAACP celebrated a decisive legal victory after a federal court dismissed the Department of Justice's (DOJ) lawsuit seeking access to the unredacted voter registration records of millions of Massachusetts residents.

In the ruling, U.S. District Judge Leo T. Sorokin dismissed the case, writing that the U.S. Attorney General "offered no basis whatsoever" for the request, as required by Title III of the Civil Rights Act of 1960. The court further noted that the DOJ's demand letter failed to include any factual statement supporting the request, rendering it legally invalid.

The NAACP's New England State Area Conference intervened as a defendant in the case, arguing that the DOJ's demand threatened the privacy and civic engagement of Black voters across the Commonwealth. The NAACP has taken similar action in multiple states where the Trump administration has sought to obtain sensitive voter data, including California, Georgia, and Utah.

"This ruling is a resounding victory for Massachusetts voters and a firm rejection of the Trump administration's nationwide campaign to seize private voter information without legal cause," said Anthony P. Ashton, Senior Associate General Counsel at NAACP. "The NAACP intervened in this case because we understand that voter suppression often begins with the weaponization of voter data. No administration has the right to demand sensitive personal information from millions of citizens without a legitimate basis. We will continue to fight back against every attempt to intimidate voters or undermine the integrity of our elections."

The DOJ's demand sought highly sensitive information, including driver's license numbers and partial Social Security numbers of registered voters. Massachusetts Secretary of State William F. Galvin refused to comply with the demand, and the DOJ subsequently sued the Commonwealth. Today's dismissal follows a string of similar legal wins the NAACP has been involved in against the DOJ in California and Oregon.

The NAACP has been at the forefront of legal efforts to protect voter data and oppose federal overreach into state-run elections. The Association continues to monitor DOJ actions nationwide and stands ready to intervene wherever the privacy or voting rights of Black Americans are threatened.

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About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund - also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.