Federal judge dismisses lawsuit seeking Nevada’s unredacted voter registration list

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A federal judge on Friday dismissed a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit seeking Nevada’s unredacted statewide voter registration list, handing a court victory to Nevada Secretary of State Francisco V. Aguilar and Attorney General Aaron D. Ford.

FOX5 confirmed the dismissal in court records.

U.S. District Judge Anne R. Traum granted Nevada’s motion to dismiss and denied DOJ’s motion to compel production of the records. The ruling marks the 22nd consecutive loss for the Trump administration in federal district court in its effort to obtain unredacted voter rolls from states and jurisdictions, Aguilar said.

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What DOJ sought

Aguilar said the DOJ sought Nevada’s complete, unredacted voter registration list, which includes voters’ driver’s license numbers and partial Social Security numbers. Nevada directed DOJ to the state’s publicly available voter list but declined to disclose information protected under Nevada law.

According to Aguilar, the department argued that Title III of the Civil Rights Act of 1960 authorized it to obtain the complete list. Judge Traum found that the statewide voter registration list is not the type of record subject to disclosure under that provision.

The court also found that DOJ failed to provide the factual basis and purpose required to support its demand.

Timeline of the case

DOJ initially requested Nevada’s statewide voter registration information in June 2025. The Secretary of State’s Office responded by providing information available under Nevada law.

DOJ filed its lawsuit in December 2025, and Secretary Aguilar moved to dismiss the case in January 2026.

Statements from Nevada officials

“Today’s ruling is a victory for Nevada voters and their right to have their sensitive personal information protected,” Aguilar said. “Nevada is now the 22nd consecutive state or jurisdiction to prevail in federal district court against the Trump administration’s effort to force states to turn over their unredacted voter rolls. Courts across the country have repeatedly rejected these unsupported demands. Nevada will continue maintaining accurate voter rolls, administering secure elections and protecting the personal information voters entrust to us.”

“This is a monumental win for the privacy of Nevadans and the protection of our elections,” Ford said. “The Trump administration’s attempt to force our state to share these unredacted voter rolls was nothing more than an intimidation tactic designed to continue the president’s campaign to sow doubt in our elections. Nevada’s elections are free, fair and safe, and our state will protect the sensitive data of all Nevadans.”

Prior rulings involving Nevada

Ford also secured rulings on June 24 and June 25 against two separate Trump administration executive orders.

The first order would have required interference in Nevada’s state-administered voter registration systems and databases and mandated voter outreach and education at Nevada’s expense.

The second order attempted to require additional voter registration requirements, force states to disregard mail ballots received by election officials after Election Day, and withhold federal funding from states that did not comply.

Ford said he co-led a coalition of states in challenges to both orders.