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Common Cause Intervenes in Minnesota Voter Data Lawsuit
Last year, Common Cause filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit brought by the Department of Justice against Minnesota that demands it hand over its voter file. A district court has granted our motion, meaning Common Cause is now party to the lawsuit, and we are seeking its dismissal.
The Legal Authority of States to Protect Sensitive Voter Records
By law, states, not the federal government, have the authority to maintain their voter files, which contain sensitive information including full names, addresses, dates of birth, driver’s license and partial Social Security numbers. However, the Trump administration has been on a quest to collect these databases to assemble their own master voter file, a move that threatens the integrity of our elections y risks disenfranchising many Americans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Most of these states, including Minnesota, have resisted pressure from the DOJ to hand over voter data, and are now being sued for it by the administration. In response, Common Cause has filed motions to intervene in several of these lawsuits. Our motion in Minnesota was granted.
Seeking Dismissal: What’s Next in the Minnesota Voter File Case?
Moving forward, the State of Minnesota, Common Cause, and its partners are seeking the dismissal of this lawsuit, which would reject the Trump administrations attempt to collect this sensitive data.
What is at Risk if the DOJ Obtains State Voter Files?
Trump has repeatedly signaled his willingness to undermine our democracy to stay in power. Whether continuing to spread disproven conspiracies about the 2020 election o calling on Republicans to “nationalize the voting,” he has shown time and again that winning is more important to him than a fair and free democracy.
Demanding state voter files is another attempt to undermine states’ statutory power to manage elections, and the disenfranchisement that the Trump administration could carry out with a master national voter file is deeply concerning.
Strategic Voter Purges and the Threat to the 2026 Midterms
A list like this could be used to conduct strategic and widespread purges of eligible voters from voter rolls, including purges that are targeted based on factors like location, age, and gender in an effort to gain a partisan advantage.
DOJ-DHS Data Sharing: Impact on Immigrant Communities in Minnesota
And given the Department of Homeland Security’s cruel attacks on immigrants and communities of color, regardless of their citizenship status, a potential federal database like this poses even greater risk – already, the DOJ has acknowledged that it is sharing voter information with DHS. Knowing that the federal government has collected a database of sensitive information could intimidate potential voters from these communities and prevent them from registering to vote.
Minnesota Voter Privacy FAQ
Why did the court grant Common Cause's motion in the Minnesota lawsuit?
The district court granted the motion to intervene because Causa común represents the interests of Minnesota voters who are directly impacted by the potential release of their private data. By becoming a “party” to the lawsuit, Common Cause can now legally fight for the case’s dismissal alongside the State of Minnesota.
What sensitive information is at stake in the Minnesota voter file?
The files demanded by the DOJ include highly personal data such as full names, home addresses, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, and partial Social Security numbers. States argue that federal access to this data violates state statutory authority and poses a security risk to citizens.
How could a national voter database lead to voter purges?
A master federal database allows for the cross-referencing of voter rolls with other federal agency data. Critics argue this information could be used to conduct targeted voter purges based on demographics like age or location to gain a partisan advantage in the 2026 midterm elections.
Is the DOJ sharing voter data with other agencies?
Yes. The Department of Justice has acknowledged sharing voter information with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This cooperation is a major concern for advocacy groups, as it may be used to intimidate immigrant communities and discourage legal voters of color from registering.
What is the goal of Common Cause in the Minnesota case?
Common Cause is seeking a full dismissal of the DOJ’s lawsuit. The goal is to set a legal precedent that protects state-held voter files from federal overreach and ensures that sensitive voter information remains secure and private.
