DOJ’s Blunders Expose Voter Data Risks

DOJ’s Blunders Expose Voter Data Risks

The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently made a significant misstep in a lawsuit concerning sensitive voter information. This mistake was so serious that the DOJ had to publicly ask the court for forgiveness. The situation highlights potential dangers when handling private voter data.

A Botched Lawsuit Service

Filing a lawsuit is one thing; winning it is another. In this case, the DOJ stumbled right at the beginning. They are trying to get highly sensitive voter information from states. This includes details like your name, address, Social Security number, voting history, and party registration.

The DOJ has filed lawsuits across the country to obtain this data. In Washington State, their attempt to serve the lawsuit to the state government went wrong. They had 90 days to complete this task but missed the deadline. When they finally tried to serve the papers, they did it in a way that broke both state and federal rules.

Incompetence at the Highest Level

This wasn’t a small, local law firm making a mistake. This was the Department of Justice, an organization expected to have top legal minds. The head of the DOJ’s voting section had to submit a sworn statement admitting fault. They explained that they couldn’t figure out how to properly serve the state of Washington. In a humiliating turn, they had to ask lawyers from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington State for help.

“Your honor, please please don’t dismiss our lawsuit.”

This blunder could lead to the entire lawsuit being thrown out. The DOJ’s ability to get the voter information they seek is now in serious doubt.

Broader Efforts to Access Voter Data

This incident in Washington is part of a larger effort by the DOJ. Mark Elias, a lawyer who has been fighting these cases, explains the situation. His law firm is intervening in about 30 cases nationwide. They aim to protect voters’ sensitive information from what they see as federal overreach.

Elias states that Republicans are highly focused on obtaining this voter data. He believes this information is crucial for potential efforts to remove voters from rolls or suppress voting rights. The voter file, he argues, is the foundation for such actions.

A Pattern of Errors

This isn’t the first time the DOJ has faced legal procedural issues in these cases. Elias points out that in Georgia, the DOJ filed a lawsuit in the wrong federal court. These repeated mistakes raise questions about the competence of the government lawyers involved.

The concern isn’t just about incompetence. The data the DOJ wants includes personal details like Social Security numbers and birth dates. The question is whether the same people who can’t figure out how to properly file a lawsuit can be trusted to safeguard such sensitive information.

Why This Matters

The DOJ’s struggles in court are more than just legal technicalities. They reveal a potential lack of capability to handle sensitive data. If the DOJ cannot follow basic legal procedures, how can they be trusted to protect voter information from misuse?

This matters because the information sought could be used for political purposes. Elias suggests that if Donald Trump were to regain power, this data could be used to undermine elections. He questions whether officials within a politicized DOJ would resist such misuse.

Malevolence vs. Incompetence

There are two main concerns about the DOJ’s pursuit of voter data. The first is malevolence: the data could be intentionally used to suppress votes or manipulate election outcomes. The second is incompetence: even without malicious intent, the DOJ’s demonstrated inability to follow rules suggests they might fail to protect the data.

Whether it’s a deliberate plan or a careless mistake, the outcome could be the same: sensitive voter information falling into the wrong hands. The DOJ’s recent failures in court suggest they are not equipped to handle this responsibility.

Historical Context and Future Outlook

The U.S. Constitution gives states the primary authority over election administration. While Congress can make laws, the core responsibility remains with the states. The DOJ’s lawsuits represent a federal attempt to gain access to data that states manage.

So far, the DOJ has lost cases where the merits have been decided. This includes a loss before a judge appointed by Donald Trump. The repeated legal setbacks and procedural errors paint a concerning picture.

The future outlook is uncertain, but the recent events are a clear warning. If the DOJ cannot even manage the basic steps of a lawsuit, entrusting them with highly sensitive voter data seems risky. This situation underscores the importance of independent media, like Democracy Docket, in shedding light on these critical issues.

Source: DOJ commits “BIGGEST mistake yet” in court, BEGS court’s forgiveness (YouTube)