Federal Court to Hear Challenge to U.S. Government Demand for Connecticut Voter Data
March 18, 2026 10:00 am
Bridgeport, Conn. – A federal judge will hear arguments on March 19, 2026, in United States v. Thomas, a closely watched case that could determine whether the federal government can compel states to turn over sensitive voter registration data.
The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking Connecticut’s statewide voter registration list, including personal information such as voters’ names, addresses, dates of birth, and other identifying data. Connecticut Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas has declined the request, citing concerns about federal overreach, voter privacy, and the protection of sensitive personal information.
The hearing comes amid a broader effort by the federal government to obtain voter data from states across the country.
Secretary Thomas has asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the Department of Justice is misusing several civil rights laws to demand voter records. The two Intervenor-defendants represented by the ACLU of Connecticut and ACLU National’s Voting Rights Project—Claire Ewing and Common Cause—separately argue that the federal government’s summary request for voter data is unlawful.
The court’s decision could affect:
- Whether the federal government can compel states to share sensitive voter registration data
- How sensitive voter information is protected
- The balance of power between states and the federal government in administering elections
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