US federal judge rules Justice Department's voter‑roll data use unlawful

A federal judge has ruled that the Justice Department’s practice of using voter‑registration data to cross‑reference an immigration database was unlawful. The decision was issued by a United States district court after a lawsuit challenged the legality of the data‑matching program.

The court found that the Department’s use of the voter rolls violated statutory protections governing the handling of voter information. By linking the voter database with immigration records, the Justice Department exceeded the authority granted to it under existing law.

The ruling requires the department to halt the data‑matching operation and to refrain from any further use of voter‑registration files for immigration‑related purposes. The order also calls for a review of the department’s compliance with the decision.

Legal analysts noted that the judgment underscores the limits on government agencies’ ability to combine disparate data sets without clear statutory authorization. The decision may prompt other agencies to reassess similar data‑sharing practices.

The Justice Department has indicated it will comply with the court’s order while evaluating its options for appeal. The case highlights ongoing concerns about privacy and the appropriate use of voter information in federal operations.