Judge Dismisses DOJ Bid for Delaware Voter Data

A federal judge tossed the Justice Department's lawsuit seeking unredacted voter registration records from Delaware's elections office.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Elections

Judge Dismisses DOJ Bid for Delaware Voter Data

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U.S. District Court Judge Richard Andrews dismissed a Department of Justice lawsuit that sought Delaware's unredacted voter registration data, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth and addresses. The DOJ had sued after Delaware declined its July 2025 request to voluntarily hand the records over.

Why it matters

The ruling adds Delaware to a growing list of federal courts rejecting DOJ demands for state voter data, with every district court handling an active case so far ruling against the department. The decision leaves states in control of how sensitive voter information is shared with federal authorities.

Judge Andrews found the federal government did not show it needed all of Delaware's voter information to ensure compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1960. The DOJ's request sought Social Security numbers, dates of birth and addresses, and whether an appeal will follow has not been reported.

The players

U.S. Department of Justice

The federal department that brought the lawsuit seeking Delaware's voter registration data, as part of a broader effort to obtain voter rolls from states.

Anthony Albence

Delaware's state Elections Commissioner, whom the DOJ sought to compel to produce the unredacted voter records.

The details

The Justice Department filed suit in December seeking a court order to compel Delaware Elections Commissioner Anthony Albence to produce the records. Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings called the request illegal and an example of federal overreach, while Elias Law Group represented voters Beth Jennings and Gemma Lowery, who were allowed to intervene, and the ACLU of Delaware represented nonprofit groups.

- July 2025: DOJ requested Delaware's unredacted voter data, and the state refused.
- December: DOJ filed the lawsuit seeking the records.
- November 10, 2026: Judge Richard Andrews dismissed the lawsuit.

Political Context

Delaware's ruling follows the Pennsylvania and New Jersey district courts, which also dismissed similar DOJ suits for state voter data. Opponents of the federal demands argue that voter records contain sensitive personal information that states have a duty to protect.

Delaware voters' registration records, including Social Security numbers and addresses, will remain under state control rather than being turned over to federal authorities. Residents whose data is held by the state elections office are not affected by the dismissal beyond continued state protections.

The takeaway

The ruling shows federal courts have so far required the government to justify broad demands for sensitive voter data, leaving states with the authority to set limits on sharing. Voters concerned about how their records are handled can follow their state elections office for updates on data-sharing policies.