The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Sept. 19, 2025
Earlier this summer the Trump Justice Department requested states turn over massive amounts of voter registration, balloting, and election administration records. Two states which refused the request, Maine and Oregon, are now being sued by DOJ.
The Brennan Center for Justice counts 34 states which received data requests from either the Trump DOJ Civil Rights Division, formerly a watchdog for voting rights, or from DOJ’s criminal division. New Hampshire cited state statutes prohibiting the release of such information, but Indiana confirmed it recently sent DOJ personal information including driver’s license and partial Social Security numbers.
Maine received its first request in mid July, which it declined August 8th, citing a lack of justification. Maine received a second DOJ request September 8th, according to the Maine Morning Star.
DOJ’s statement announcing the suits said, QUOTE, “American citizens have a right to feel confident in the integrity of our electoral process, and the refusal of certain states to protect their citizens against vote dilution will result in legal consequences.” UNQUOTE ‘Vote dilution’ refers to alleged widespread voting by noncitizens, an already debunked conspiracy theory from the 2020 and 2024 elections. The Trump administration confirmed last week it was sharing the voter data with the Department of Homeland Security.
Secretaries of State Shana Bellows in Maine and Tobias Reed of Oregon have vowed to fight the request in court.
We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – (June) U.S. DOJ Demands State of Colorado Turn Over Massive Number of 2024 Election Records. It Could be an Attempt to Prove Conspiracy Theories.
American Democracy Minute – (July) The U.S. Department of Justice is Requesting All Voter Records for 12 States, Likely a Violation of Privacy and Free Speech Rights
Maine Morning Star – (July) Trump administration requested voter data. Secretary Bellows says, ‘Go jump in the Gulf of Maine’
Maine Morning Star – Secretary Bellows rejects Trump administration’s second request for more Maine voter data
U.S. Department of Justice – Justice Department Sues Oregon and Maine for Failure to Provide Voter Registration Rolls
Oregon Capital Chronicle – Trump Justice Department sues Oregon, Maine for not turning over voter data
Brennan Center for Justice – Tracker of Justice Department Requests for Voter Information
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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