Oregon Voter Rolls Lawsuit Dismissed, Federal Judge Rules DOJ Failed Legal Standard, Privacy Protected 2026
On January 27, 2026, U.S. District Judge Mustafa Kasubhai dismissed the Justice Department lawsuit seeking Oregon’s unredacted voter rolls, delivering a major victory for voter privacy. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield stated that the court dismissed the case because the federal government never met the legal standard to get these records in the first place. The ruling protects personally identifiable data of more than 3 million Oregon voters from federal collection efforts.
What the Oregon Voter Rolls Lawsuit Was About
The Justice Department sued Oregon and Secretary of State Tobias Read for failing to provide information regarding voter list maintenance procedures and electronic copies of statewide voter registration lists. The federal government demanded sensitive voter information including full names, birth dates, residential addresses, and driver’s license or Social Security numbers for every registered voter.
In a July letter, the department asked Oregon for an electronic copy of its statewide registration list and details on the steps it has taken to remove ineligible voters. Secretary of State Read refused, arguing the demand violated Oregonians’ privacy rights and exceeded federal authority.
The lawsuit became part of a nationwide campaign. The Justice Department has filed lawsuits against at least 23 states and the District of Columbia as part of its effort to collect such data.
Legal Claims Filed Against Oregon
The lawsuit alleged that Oregon and its Secretary of State Tobias Read violated the National Voter Registration Act, the Help America Vote Act, and the Civil Rights Act of 1960. These claims focused on voter list maintenance and federal election law compliance.
The Civil Rights Act of 1960 became the central legal issue. The department argued it had authority under the Civil Rights Act of 1960 to request voter records, as the law says such records are to be made available to the U.S. Attorney General upon a demand in writing that states the basis and purpose of the request.
Oregon officials challenged this interpretation. They argued federal privacy law prohibits the government from collecting records of conduct protected by the First Amendment. The state also contended the Justice Department was not legally entitled to the sensitive voter information it demanded.
Court Ruling in January 2026
Judge Kasubhai said the department’s August letter did not satisfy the law’s requirement for stating a basis and purpose when requesting voter records. This finding became the key to dismissing the case.
Kasubhai added that he read the congressional record of the time when the law was passed, and found it was “unequivocal” on the release of records being associated with investigations involving discrimination in elections. The Justice Department’s request did not meet this historical standard.
Judge Kasubhai, appointed by former President Joe Biden, held a hearing earlier in January on the state’s effort to have the lawsuit dismissed. He scheduled another proceeding for January 27, 2026 to discuss a letter Attorney General Pam Bondi sent to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz about immigration enforcement activities in the state.
Next came questions about the government’s true intentions. Reporting and public statements from U.S. Department of Justice officials indicated that the federal government is trying to create a national voter registration list and run it through databases held by the Department of Homeland Security. The federal government would then use that data to identify people it wants to remove from voter rolls.
Other States Facing Similar Lawsuits
Oregon’s victory followed similar rulings elsewhere. Last week a federal judge in Georgia dismissed such a suit after ruling the federal government had sued in the wrong city, and earlier this month a federal judge in California dismissed a suit there after finding the government’s request was “unprecedented and illegal”.
These dismissals represent significant setbacks to the administration’s voter data collection efforts. At least 11 states have either turned over or said they intend to provide the information to the Trump administration, while dozens of others are fighting the demands in court.
Oregon’s Voter Roll Cleanup Efforts
Separate from the federal lawsuit, Oregon faced pressure to clean up its voter rolls. In January 2026, Oregon election officials announced they would begin removing hundreds of thousands of inactive voters from the state’s registration rolls, a move that comes after years of inaction, mounting public pressure, and lawsuits filed against the state in recent months.
Oregon’s Democratic Secretary of State Tobias Read outlined two new directives to restart routine cleanup of outdated, inactive voter registration records in accordance with state law to address the roughly 800,000 inactive voter records being maintained by election officials. Understanding these administrative procedures is crucial for anyone researching voting rights and election integrity issues.
The first directive orders counties to immediately cancel long-inactive voter registrations that already met the legal requirements for removal before 2017, where election mail was returned as undeliverable, voters failed to respond to official notices, and they did not participate in multiple federal elections.
What You Must Know
Understanding the Civil Rights Act of 1960 Standard
The Civil Rights Act of 1960 allows the Attorney General to inspect voter registration records, but only under specific conditions. The law requires a written demand that clearly states the basis and purpose of the request. Courts have interpreted this to mean requests must be connected to investigating discrimination in elections.
Judge Kasubhai’s reading of the congressional record revealed lawmakers intended this provision for civil rights enforcement, not general voter data collection. The Justice Department’s failure to demonstrate how their request related to discrimination investigations proved fatal to their case.
Federal vs. State Authority Over Voter Records
Election administration remains primarily a state responsibility under the U.S. Constitution. While federal laws like the National Voter Registration Act set certain requirements, states retain significant control over their voter registration systems and records.
Privacy protections also limit federal access. State laws often protect voter information from disclosure, particularly sensitive data like Social Security numbers and driver’s license numbers. Federal demands must overcome these privacy protections by meeting strict legal standards.
Oregon’s High Voter Registration Rate
The federal government is suspicious of Oregon’s voter rolls in part because the state succeeded in registering more eligible voters than the national average. Oregon also regularly leads the nation in voter turnout, though rates have declined since automatic voter registration added more voters to the rolls.
Oregon’s 2024 presidential election had a voter turnout rate well above the national average. This success stems from the state’s automatic voter registration program and mail-in ballot system, which make voting more accessible.
What to Do Next
Access Court Documents
You can find official case filings through the federal court’s PACER system at pacer.gov. The case was filed in U.S. District Court in Oregon, with Judge Mustafa Kasubhai presiding. Court documents include the Justice Department’s complaint, Oregon’s motion to dismiss, and the judge’s written opinion once issued.
Monitor Voter Registration Issues
Stay informed about voter registration developments through Oregon’s Secretary of State website. The office publishes updates on voter roll maintenance, registration statistics, and election administration matters. Election protection organizations also track voting rights litigation nationwide.
For readers interested in broader voting rights issues, similar cases like texas-redistricting-lawsuit-breaking-2025-court are unfolding across multiple states as federal and state governments clash over voter data access.
Understand Your Voter Rights
Oregon voters have privacy protections for their registration information. State law limits who can access detailed voter data and for what purposes. If you have concerns about your voter registration status or privacy, contact your county elections office.
The National Voter Registration Act provides certain federal protections for voter registration procedures. Understanding these protections helps voters recognize when their rights may be at risk.
When Legal Advice May Help
Voters who believe their registration has been improperly challenged or removed may benefit from legal consultation. Election law attorneys can help individuals understand their rights and navigate administrative processes to restore registration.
Organizations like the ACLU and nonpartisan election protection groups offer resources for voters facing registration issues. These groups also monitor litigation affecting voting rights and provide public education on election law.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Oregon voter rolls lawsuit about?
The Justice Department sued Oregon to obtain unredacted voter registration lists containing personal information for over 3 million voters. The federal government claimed it needed this data to ensure compliance with federal election laws, while Oregon argued the request violated voter privacy and exceeded federal authority.
Who were the defendants in this case?
The defendants were the state of Oregon and Secretary of State Tobias Read. Read refused to comply with the Justice Department’s demands, citing privacy concerns and questioning the legal basis for the request.
What legal claims did the Justice Department file?
The federal government alleged violations of the National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, and Civil Rights Act of 1960. The case ultimately turned on whether the Justice Department properly invoked its authority under the Civil Rights Act of 1960 to demand voter records.
What happened in January 2026?
Judge Kasubhai dismissed the lawsuit on January 27, 2026, ruling that the Justice Department failed to meet the legal standard required by the Civil Rights Act of 1960. The judge found the department’s request letter did not adequately state a basis and purpose connected to investigating discrimination in elections.
Can the Justice Department appeal this ruling?
Yes, the Justice Department can appeal Judge Kasubhai’s decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. However, similar cases in California and Georgia have also been dismissed, suggesting appellate courts may face multiple opportunities to address these issues.
What does this mean for voter privacy?
The ruling protects Oregon voters’ personal information from federal collection efforts that lack proper legal justification. It reinforces the principle that government demands for sensitive voter data must meet strict legal standards tied to legitimate enforcement purposes.
Are other states facing similar lawsuits?
Yes, at least 23 states and the District of Columbia have been sued by the Justice Department seeking voter registration data. Some states have complied while others are fighting the demands in court, creating a patchwork of outcomes across the country.
Last Updated: February 2, 2026
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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