{"id":2580941,"date":"2026-03-17T15:05:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T19:05:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/louisville-clerk-pushes-back-on-doj-effort-to-access-voter-rolls\/"},"modified":"2026-03-17T15:10:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T19:10:29","slug":"louisville-clerk-pushes-back-on-doj-effort-to-access-voter-rolls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/louisville-clerk-pushes-back-on-doj-effort-to-access-voter-rolls\/","title":{"rendered":"Louisville clerk pushes back on DOJ effort to access voter rolls"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Flouisville-clerk-pushes-back-on-doj-effort-to-access-voter-rolls%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2580941&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Louisville&#8217;s Jefferson County Clerk, David Yates, has pushed back against the Justice Department\u2019s nationwide effort to access voter rolls, filing a motion to intervene in a DOJ lawsuit seeking to compel five states, including Kentucky, to produce their full voter registration lists. Yates argues that releasing unredacted rolls would violate state privacy laws and expose highly sensitive information such as birth dates, addresses, Social Security numbers, and driver\u2019s license numbers. He says this action would undermine voter privacy and could deter participation, challenging the federal government\u2019s reach into local election administration.<\/p>\n<p>The DOJ contends it has authority under the Civil Rights act of 1960 to demand the production and cross-checking of <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >complete statewide voter registration lists<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/progressive-policies-need-to-be-fought-off-by-states-rep-steube\/\" title=\"Progressive Policies Need to Be Fought Off by States: Rep. Steube\">ensure election integrity<\/a>. Kentucky officials counter that releasing such data violates privacy protections and that local and state authorities should control the voting process. The Kentucky State Board of Elections has asked the court to dismiss the DOJ\u2019s lawsuit, while Yates emphasizes that local officials are the primary custodians of election records and should manage them without federal intrusion.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Louisville clerk pushes back on Trump administration&rsquo;s nationwide effort to access voter rolls<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2534869\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kentucky\/\">Kentucky <\/a>elections official announced on Tuesday an effort seeking to block the Trump administration&rsquo;s push to examine extensive <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\">voter<\/a> records.<\/p>\n<p>Jefferson County Clerk David Yates said he is pushing back after Kentucky was among an additional five states the Justice Department <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/pr\/justice-department-sues-five-additional-states-failure-produce-voter-rolls\">sued last month<\/a> &ldquo;for failure to produce their full voter registration lists.&rdquo; Yates said he filed a motion on Monday in the District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky to intervene in the lawsuit, arguing that releasing completely unredacted voter rolls would violate state privacy laws and jeopardize sensitive data.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4494538\/pam-bondi-subpoenaed-house-deposition-epstein-files\/\">Pam Bondi subpoenaed for April 14 House deposition on Epstein files handling<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4494025\/watch-live-zinski-v-liberty-university-oral-arguments\/\">WATCH LIVE: Zinski v. Liberty University oral arguments<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4493511\/court-allows-doj-proceed-appeal-law-firm-executive-orders\/\">Court allows DOJ to proceed with appeal over law firm executive orders<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;People need to feel confident that when they register to vote, their personal information will remain secure,&rdquo; the Louisville clerk said during a press conference. &ldquo;If their most sensitive data is handed over unnecessarily, it could discourage participation and damage confidence in our democratic system.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4475706\/donors-turn-their-attention-attorney-general-top-cop-races\/\">DONORS TURN THEIR ATTENTION TO TOP COP RACES IN MIDTERMS: &lsquo;ATTORNEYS GENERAL ACT AND WIN&rsquo;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;As the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/we-caught-them-lin-wood-outed-mysterious-georgia-operative-gabe-sterling-now-video-shows-him-admitting-he-helped-set-up-drop-boxes-and-promoted-far-left-activists-as-absentee-ballot-counters\/\" title=\"WE CAUGHT THEM: Lin Wood Outed Mysterious Georgia Operative Gabe Sterling - Now Video Shows Him Admitting He Helped Set Up Drop Boxes and Promoted Far Left Activists as Absentee Ballot Counters\">chief election official<\/a> for Jefferson County, I have a statutory duty to protect the confidential personal information entrusted to us by our voters,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;This lawsuit directly affects my office&rsquo;s responsibilities, and I believe it is essential that the voices and privacy rights of Jefferson County citizens are strongly defended.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The Trump administration has made requests for comprehensive voter information as part of a nationwide undertaking aimed at ensuring voter rolls are accurate. Prosecutors say they have authority under the Civil Rights Act of 1960 to demand the production, inspection, and analysis of comprehensive statewide voter registration lists, to cross-check them for improper registrations. In Kentucky, county officials say the DOJ is seeking to access voters&rsquo; personal information, such as birth dates, addresses, Social Security numbers, and driver&rsquo;s license numbers.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The Justice Department will continue to fulfill its oversight role dutifully, neutrally, and transparently wherever Americans vote in federal elections,&rdquo; Assistant Attorney General Harmeet&nbsp;Dhillon of the Justice Department&rsquo;s Civil Rights Division said when the DOJ announced it would sue Kentucky for not releasing the information. &ldquo;Many state election officials, however, are choosing to fight us in court rather than show their work. We will not be deterred, regardless of party affiliation, from carrying out critical election integrity legal duties.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this month, the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whas11.com\/article\/news\/local\/kentuckys-election-board-responds-doj-lawsuit-requesting-voter-data\/417-d540e7fd-c39d-45e8-ba69-83258f828fb6\">Kentucky State Board of Elections<\/a> asked the court to dismiss the DOJ&rsquo;s lawsuit. The court is still considering the request, with Yates&rsquo;s action marking the latest development in the case.<\/p>\n<p>Yates said he is the first county clerk in the country to take legal action against the Trump administration. He argued that authority over the voting process should be reserved for local and state officials, issuing a warning against the federal government expanding control over the system.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4487518\/iran-war-gives-massie-primary-opening-trump-drops-into-district\/\"><strong>IRAN WAR GIVES MASSIE A PRIMARY OPENING AS TRUMP DROPS INTO HIS DISTRICT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The Constitution deliberately gives states and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-kansas-lawmakers-strike-down-democrat-governors-statewide-mask-mandate\/\" title=\"GOP Kansas Lawmakers Strike Down Democrat Governor\u2019s Statewide Mask Mandate\">local governments control<\/a> over elections to prevent federal overreach by any president or administration,&rdquo; Yates said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Local officials, like the Clerk, are the primary registration records custodians and administrators of elections in Kentucky engaging in firsthand and active participation in the voting process, directly with voters, from start to finish,&rdquo; his motion reads.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Louisville clerk fights DOJ plan to access voter rolls<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2580942,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_1786-e1773772308218.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[7076,75984,20977,32643],"class_list":["post-2580941","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-doj","tag-election-administration","tag-louisville","tag-voter-rolls"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_1786-e1773772308218.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2580941","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2580941"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2580941\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2580945,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2580941\/revisions\/2580945"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2580942"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2580941"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2580941"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2580941"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}