Michigan to Share Voter Registration Data with DOJ

News Summary

The Michigan Department of State is working with the U.S. Justice Department to share voter registration data, including names and voting history, while ensuring compliance with privacy laws. This follows federal requests amid concerns about data handling. The department awaits guidance on securely transferring the data, which is only publicly available information, as the DOJ increases scrutiny on states’ voter management practices leading up to the 2026 midterm elections.

Lansing, Michigan – The Michigan Department of State (MDOS) is currently in the process of coordinating with the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) to share a portion of voter registration data. This action follows requests from the federal agency amidst growing privacy concerns regarding the handling of sensitive voter information. A state official has indicated that the MDOS is awaiting clear instructions from the federal government on how to securely transfer these records, which are only to include publicly available information.

The data transfer will contain basic voter details such as names and voting history, explicitly excluding private data like Social Security numbers. Federal laws prohibit the sharing of such sensitive information, thereby ensuring that the privacy of Michigan voters remains protected.

The list of qualified voters, known as the qualified voter file (QVF), is accessible to the public upon specific request using a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) submission. The size of the QVF, which was nearly three gigabytes as of June, poses challenges for efficient data sharing, making it difficult to transmit the information securely.

When individuals submit public requests, the MDOS typically provides the required information through compressed files on its FOIA portal. However, the DOJ has requested that the records be sent via email or through its secure file-sharing system. Although the option to email the qualified voter file exists, it raises security concerns due to the large file size and the potential for data breaches.

As of now, the MDOS has been actively seeking guidance from the DOJ regarding access to its file-sharing system since last week. Despite these efforts, the department has not yet received a response. The spokesman for MDOS has confirmed that the files are prepared for transfer as soon as access credentials to the DOJ’s system are provided.

The chief legal director for MDOS has reached out to an attorney at the DOJ for assistance in facilitating the data transfer while maintaining compliance with privacy laws. Other states, such as Pennsylvania, have also indicated they will only provide publicly available records in response to similar requests from the DOJ, citing continuing privacy concerns.

The DOJ’s actions imply a possible escalation toward legal measures to secure access to detailed voter data if states do not comply. State officials in Michigan have pointed to the Drivers Protection Privacy Act and the Privacy Act of 1974 as justifications for refraining from sharing more personal details about voters.

Recently, the DOJ sent a letter to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson demanding access to comprehensive voter registration data and seeking clarification regarding the state’s compliance with voter roll maintenance. The letter highlighted concerns and allegations regarding Michigan’s adherence to federal election laws and compliance with the Help America Vote Act, amid rumors of election fraud that surfaced post-2020 elections.

The Michigan Secretary of State’s office has stated that it is currently reviewing the DOJ’s inquiries and has not yet issued a formal response. The scrutiny from the DOJ has coincided with inquiries made to similar offices across the nation, including those in states like Arizona and Wisconsin, indicating a widespread effort to assess state compliance with federal voting regulations.

As the nation approaches the 2026 midterm elections, which will see all U.S. House seats in Michigan up for reelection alongside a significant Senate race, the DOJ’s ongoing investigation into voter registration data is expected to gain additional attention and urgency.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Michigan Advance
• CNN
• Detroit Chamber
• AFP Fact Check
• WNEM
• Wikipedia: Voter Registration in the United States
• Google Search: Justice Department Michigan voter data
• Google Scholar: Voter Data Privacy Laws
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Election
• Google News: DOJ Voter Data