A federal judge has dismissed a US Department of Justice lawsuit seeking access to Maryland’s statewide voter registration list, ruling that federal law does not require the State of Maryland to provide the records requested.
In a June 18 decision, the US District Court for the District of Maryland dismissed the case with prejudice, ending the federal government’s effort to compel production of Maryland’s statewide voter registration list (SVRL).
The lawsuit named State Administrator of Elections Jared DeMarinis in his official capacity and sought access to voter registration data under provisions of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1960.
The dispute began in 2025 when the Department of Justice requested a copy of Maryland’s computerized voter registration database, including voter information maintained as part of the State’s list maintenance responsibilities under federal election laws.
Maryland declined to provide the requested records, arguing that the cited federal statutes did not grant the federal government access to the statewide database.
Judge Stephanie Gallagher agreed.
The court concluded that the Civil Rights Act provision cited by the federal government applies to records that election officials receive from voters, such as voter registration applications and related documents. The court found that Maryland’s statewide voter registration list does not fall into that category because election officials create and maintain the database rather than receive it from outside sources.
The opinion also noted that federal law requires states to update and maintain statewide voter registration databases continuously. Interpreting the Civil Rights Act to prohibit alterations to those records would conflict with the ongoing maintenance obligations imposed by more recent federal election laws.
The Maryland case formed part of a broader national effort by the Department of Justice. The court noted that the federal government filed roughly 30 similar lawsuits nationwide, seeking statewide voter registration lists from state election officials.
The opinion cited decisions from multiple federal courts that reached the same conclusion and rejected the federal government’s legal theory.
The decision marks another victory for state election officials in the ongoing litigation and closes the Maryland case unless the federal government pursues an appeal.
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Read the complete opinion for a detailed discussion of the court’s reasoning.
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