Justice Department sues California, other states that have declined to share voter rolls

"Clean voter rolls are the foundation of free and fair elections,"

"Every state has a responsibility to ensure that voter registration records are accurate, accessible, and secure - states that don't fulfill that obligation will see this Department of Justice in court."

"a fishing expedition and pretext for partisan policy objectives," a "blatant overreach" and "an unprecedented intrusion unsupported by law or any previous practice or policy of the U.S. Department of Justice."

The U.S. Justice Department filed suit against California Secretary of State Shirley Weber for refusing to provide the state's voter rolls to federal authorities. The complaint alleges Weber unlawfully prevented federal oversight necessary to ensure state compliance with federal voting regulations and to safeguard federal elections against fraud. The DOJ cites obligations under the National Voter Registration Act to access voter rolls and verify proper protocols for registration and maintenance of accurate, up-to-date lists. Similar lawsuits name elections officials in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. Weber described the lawsuit as a "fishing expedition," "blatant overreach," and "an unprecedented intrusion."

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