A federal judge has delivered a stunning blow to efforts ensuring election integrity, effectively blocking the Department of Justice from scrutinizing California’s voter rolls. Judge David O. Carter, known for past rulings critical of a former president, issued the order that shields the state’s voter information from federal review.
The judge dismissed the DOJ’s lawsuit against California and its Secretary of State, claiming the federal request violated key voting rights laws – the Civil Rights Act of 1960, the National Voter Registration Act, and the Help America Vote Act. He went further, accusing the Executive Branch of attempting to overstep its constitutional authority regarding elections.
The DOJ had initiated legal action seeking access to complete, unredacted voter records to verify compliance with federal election laws. The aim was to investigate potential irregularities, including non-citizen voting, and ensure the accuracy of California’s voter lists. Standard data points like names, voting history, and Social Security information were requested for verification purposes.
Instead of allowing this process, Judge Carter framed the DOJ’s actions as a deliberate attempt to suppress voting rights. He argued the government’s request was an unprecedented intrusion into the personal information of California voters, suggesting a broader effort to centralize control over sensitive data.
The judge’s ruling asserts that Congress, not the Executive Branch, must authorize such extensive data collection. He emphasized the historical principle of state control over elections, rooted in the Constitution’s Elections Clause, and the trust voters place in local election officials.
Carter expressed concern that the DOJ’s request could discourage participation among minority groups and immigrants, who might fear misuse of their personal information. He warned against consolidating election power within the Executive Branch without explicit congressional approval and public debate, framing it as a threat to fair and free elections.
This is not the first time Judge Carter has attracted national attention for his politically charged rulings. He previously presided over the case involving subpoenas issued by the January 6 committee, and notably stated that a former president “more likely than not” committed a crime by challenging the 2020 election results.
California is one of fourteen states that have resisted providing their full voter registration files to the Department of Justice. The others include Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
The original legal battle, launched under a previous administration, centered on “voter roll maintenance enforcement and compliance.” The goal was to ensure accurate and up-to-date voter lists, a fundamental aspect of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
