The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Jan. 20, 2026
We have an update on the Trump Department of Justice efforts to force states to turn over voter and personal information for inclusion in its SAVE database. Federal district judges in California and Oregon blocked DOJ’s actions, finding neither federal nor state law compelled the states to do so.
DOJ sought the names, social security numbers, home addresses, and voting history of nearly 23 million California voters and over 3 million Oregon voters, and sued those states and 18 others for refusing to provide that data.
In a decision handed down January 15th, U.S. District Court Judge David Carter wrote that in addition to an unconstitutional overreach of the executive branch, the Help America Vote Act and National Voter Registration Act do not provide for disclosure of such data in the absence of violations. The judge also said the DOJ request violated the federal 1974 Privacy Act, E-Government Act, and California’s Driver’s Protection Act, and ruled California does not have to turn over the data.
In Oregon, Courthouse News Service reports that another federal judge tentatively dismissed a parallel case after a day-long trial January 14th, find that no state or federal law compelled Oregon to turn over unredacted voter information. A written decision will follow. Both cases are likely to be appealed.
We’ve linked the California decision at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – (Sept. 2025) Justice Department Sues Maine & Oregon for Withholding State Voter Registration and Voting Data from Trump Administration
Oregon Capital Chronicle – Trump Justice Department sues Oregon, Maine for not turning over voter data
U.S. District Court for Central California (via Court Listener) – United States v. Shirley Weber
NPR – A federal judge dismisses the DOJ’s effort to get voter data from California
Courthouse News Service – Judge rules Oregon won’t need to hand over unredacted voter rolls to Trump admin
Brennan Center for Justice – Tracker of Justice Department Requests for Voter Information
Oregon Attorney General – AG Rayfield Releases Statement Following Voter Data Court Hearing
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause, ACLU, League of Women Voters CA, Our Oregon
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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