DEVELOPING: Justice Department Sues Maine, Oregon in Sweeping Voter Data Demand

Breaking News: Justice Department Sues Maine, Oregon Over Voter Data Demand The US Department of Justice has filed lawsuits against the secretaries of state in Maine and Oregon, seeking access to sensitive voter registration data. The suits were announced on September 17. The Justice Department is demanding that both states hand over their voter registration lists, including personal information such as partial Social Security numbers. This move marks a significant escalation in the department's efforts to collect voting data from across the country. Maine and Oregon are the first states to be sued by the DOJ after rebuffing earlier requests for sensitive election data. The suits were filed in federal court in both states, with the Justice Department citing its authority under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read responded swiftly to the lawsuit, stating that he stands by his oath to protect the rights and privacy of Oregon voters. "If the President wants to use the DOJ to go after his political opponents and undermine our elections, I look forward to seeing them in court," Read said. This move comes amid growing concerns about election security and voter suppression. The Justice Department's efforts to collect sensitive voting data have been met with resistance from some states, which argue that such information is protected under state law. The current status of the lawsuits remains unclear, but it is expected that both cases will be heard in federal court soon. This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Npr.*