Federal Court Rejects Trump Administration’s Bid for Voter Records

The Trump administration faced another legal defeat on Monday in its attempt to obtain state voter registration records. A 16-page opinion by U.S. District Judge Thomas E. Johnston dismissed the Justice Department’s lawsuit against West Virginia’s Secretary of State Kris Warner. The judge found the government’s request lacked the necessary statutory basis under the Civil Rights Act of 1960.

Court’s Decision and Repercussions

Johnston, appointed by President George W. Bush in 2006, denied the Justice Department’s motion to compel production of the records. This ruling is another setback for the administration’s campaign to acquire voter registration databases nationwide, which election officials and privacy advocates have opposed, citing lack of federal authority in many cases.

Johnston highlighted that his decision is consistent with multiple federal court rulings rejecting similar lawsuits. He noted that eleven federal district courts and one court of appeals have dismissed comparable lawsuits, and no court has yet ruled in favor of the United States.

Judge’s Reasoning

The dispute centered on a September 2025 letter from Attorney General Pam Bondi demanding West Virginia’s full voter registration list. The Justice Department argued the records were necessary to assess compliance with the National Voter Registration Act and the Help America Vote Act. However, Johnston found the request lacked a factual basis, as required by the Civil Rights Act. The letter stated its legal authority and intent but did not provide evidence of potential noncompliance by West Virginia.

Johnston pointed out that the letter only discussed its purpose without specifying the basis, which is essential to justify such demands. The Justice Department’s argument for limited judicial review was dismissed, emphasizing the need for sufficient factual allegations to support claims, as per federal pleading standards.

String of Legal Losses

Johnston’s ruling aligns with a series of losses for the administration in similar lawsuits from courts in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Wisconsin, Maine, Arizona, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Oregon, California, and Michigan, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. No court has yet ruled in favor of the administration’s efforts.

About Judge Thomas E. Johnston

Thomas E. Johnston has been a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of West Virginia since 2006. Before joining the federal bench, he served as a U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia and worked in private practice. Despite being seen as a conservative jurist, his ruling demonstrates the independent scrutiny federal judges apply to cases brought by the executive branch.