The Trump Administration Wants Access to Voter Rolls — Can They Get It?
What's going on: With tensions high after deadly federal shootings in Minnesota, a letter Attorney General Pam Bondi sent Gov. Tim Walz (D) has raised new questions. Dated the same day federal officials shot and killed Alex Pretti, it outlines three steps Minnesota can take to cooperate with the federal government to “bring back law and order.” One of those steps has nothing to do with immigration — it targets voting. Bondi called on the state to give the Department of Justice access to unredacted voter rolls, which contain identifying information like driver’s license numbers and partial Social Security numbers. According to Politico, lawyers for Minnesota described Bondi’s letter as a “shakedown” and a “ransom note.” The state is just one of many facing federal pressure to hand over voter data. So far, only 14 states (all Republican-led) have handed over their voter rolls or said they will. The administration says its goal is to stop non-citizens from voting in federal elections, which is illegal and widely acknowledged as rare.
What it means: The midterm elections are about nine months away, and control of Congress is on the line (hence new electoral maps). The GOP is already worried that the affordability crisis and immigration will cost them seats. Many legal and voting rights experts are concerned that those who spread false claims that Democrats stole the 2020 election (claims that haven’t stopped) now lead federal agencies, including the presidency. Some have tied the push to Project 2025, which focuses on ways to reshape voting access. For now, the battle over access to unredacted voter rolls is still playing out in court in some states. Some lawyers argue that the Constitution clearly lays out that elections can only be governed by the states and Congress, leaving little room for federal overreach.
