The core allegation is that New Jersey has repeatedly refused to produce the statewide voter registration list (SVRL) in full (with all fields, including full name, date of birth, address, driver's license number, last four digits of Social Security number, or other unique identifiers), as well as other related federal election records.
Key background facts cited:
- The demands began with a July 15, 2025, letter from the Attorney General, followed by an August 14, 2025, renewal under the CRA.
- The purpose is to investigate New Jersey's compliance with federal election laws, specifically the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) (requiring accurate voter list maintenance and removal of ineligible voters) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) (requiring a centralized, accurate voter registration database).
- The DOJ highlighted statistical discrepancies from the 2024 Election Assistance Commission survey, such as New Jersey's unusually high voter registration rate (94.8% of voting-age population), low rates of confirmation notices sent to voters (6.9%), and lower-than-average removal rates for duplicates, deceased, or ineligible registrants compared to national averages.
- New Jersey acknowledged the demands but denied them (e.g., in letters dated August 21, 2025; December 8, 2025; January 9, 2026), citing state privacy laws and seeking more clarification. The DOJ proposed a Memorandum of Understanding to address concerns and asserted that federal law preempts privacy objections for these investigative purposes.
- Despite further communications (including January 30, 2026, confirmation of non-compliance), the state has not provided the records.
The complaint contains one count: Violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1960 (52U.S.C. § 20703) due to the refusal to comply with a valid written demand.
Relief sought:
- A court declaration that the refusal violates federal law.
- An order compelling production of the current electronic SVRL with all fields (unredacted) within 5 days of any order.
- Production of other demanded federal election records.
- Any additional relief the court deems just.
This is not an allegation of voter discrimination, suppression, fraud, or specific election misconduct. It’s an enforcement action focused solely on compelling access to records for an ongoing federal investigation into state compliance with voter list maintenance and accuracy requirements under NVRA and HAVA. The case was filed February 26,2026.
