In a move that’s raising eyebrows across Washington, the Department of Justice is reportedly working to create what could become the largest voter database in U.S. history.
Officials say the effort is tied to verifying voter eligibility and enforcing election laws, but critics warn it could be used to challenge future election results.
This initiative comes as former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies continue to claim that undocumented migrants are casting ballots illegally, a point that has fueled partisan debate for years.
Nationwide Effort Involving More Than 30 States
According to reporting by The New York Times, the DOJ is coordinating with over 30 states to compile individual voting information.
This includes names, addresses, and other personal details of registered voters.
While at least 16 GOP-led states such as Alabama, Texas, and Mississippi have received data requests, Democratic-controlled or swing states like New York and Pennsylvania have also been formally contacted.
Justice Department spokesperson Gates McGavick emphasized that the goal is to “ensure that states have proper voter registration procedures and programs to maintain clean voter rolls containing only eligible voters in federal elections.”
Critics Raise Concerns About Potential Misuse
Not everyone is on board with the DOJ’s approach.
Former Biden-era officials and liberal observers have voiced worries that the database could be exploited to undermine the integrity of future elections.
Justin R. Erickson, general counsel for Minnesota’s secretary of state, highlighted these risks in a letter to the DOJ last month.
He warned that the department might use the data improperly and questioned whether it had met the legal requirements to collect information on millions of citizens.
Former DOJ official Justin Levitt also noted that previous administrations—both Democratic and Republican—have steered clear of creating a federal voter database because of potential abuses.
“Nobody has ever done anything like this,” he said.
How the Data Could Be Used
Sources familiar with the operation say the DOJ intends to cross-reference voter information with Department of Homeland Security records.
The goal would be to identify registered voters in certain states who are flagged as having an illegal immigration status.
However, this plan faces significant pushback. Most states are reluctant to hand over sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers or driver’s license data.
For example, a South Carolina judge recently blocked the state from releasing private voter information to the DOJ, citing privacy concerns.
Political and Legal Implications
The creation of a national voter database is unprecedented and carries both political and legal implications.
Supporters argue it strengthens election integrity, while opponents fear it could be weaponized to challenge valid votes.
As the debate continues, the DOJ’s effort highlights the increasingly contentious intersection of politics, law, and data privacy in U.S. elections—a discussion that will likely intensify as the next election cycle approaches.