Nebraska to Provide Voter Data to Justice Department Amid Legal Controversy
OMAHA, Neb. — The Republican Secretary of State for Nebraska, Bob Evnen, is set to submit sensitive voter information to the U.S. Justice Department, following a decision by Nebraska’s Supreme Court to reject an injunction aimed at stopping the data transfer. This move comes after a lawsuit filed by the government accountability group, Common Cause, was dismissed by a state judge. The lawsuit sought to prevent the release of voter data, which includes birth dates, addresses, and portions of Social Security numbers.
Common Cause’s legal representatives argued, “This case threatens the unprecedented and unlawful release of highly sensitive information of every Nebraska voter. Once the data is released, that bell cannot be unrung.”
This controversy in Nebraska arises in the context of increased scrutiny on election security, including an FBI operation that involved the seizure of election-related documents and ballots from Georgia’s Fulton County. Additionally, former President Donald Trump has expressed intentions to intervene in elections managed by Democratic officials.
Since last year, the Justice Department has been actively requesting states to provide voter data and other election-related information. They have filed lawsuits against at least 23 states and the District of Columbia to acquire these voter rolls.
Evnen has stated that the purpose of sharing this voter information is to allow the Justice Department to verify Nebraska’s adherence to federal voting laws. He noted that the Nebraska Attorney General’s office deemed the federal request both “lawful and proper.” The data will be transmitted electronically, accompanied by a request for adherence to privacy regulations.
Evnen emphasized his commitment to protecting voter personal information from improper use. However, when questioned about the security of the data and the possibility of legitimate voters being incorrectly removed from voter rolls, Evnen expressed skepticism, saying, “The only thing I’m positive of is that the sun won’t catch in a tree when it sets tonight.” He assured that Nebraska would not eliminate voters from rolls based solely on federal recommendations, but would instead conduct independent investigations and contact individuals flagged for removal.
Recently, a federal judge dismissed the Department of Justice’s attempt to access Michigan’s voter rolls. The Justice Department claims the data collection aims to enhance election security, though Democratic officials argue that the requests breach privacy laws. There are concerns among election officials that the data could be used to identify noncitizens on voter rolls.
In the U.S., elections are managed at state and local levels, and voter information is maintained by these entities.
