Office of the Secretary of the State

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01/16/2026

Questions and Answers About the Lawsuit Filed by the Department of Justice Against the State of Connecticut Office

(Important: This Q & A is intended to inform the public and provide clarity. It is not a substitute for the legal process, which will ultimately resolve the dispute.)

What is this lawsuit about?

On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against Connecticut, demanding the state’s full statewide voter registration list, including sensitive personal information such as voters’ full dates of birth and driver’s license and Social Security numbers. Connecticut has declined to provide that information because:

  • Federal and state law prohibit its disclosure.
  • The federal government lacks a basis for this broad request of an entire voter
    database

Connecticut is the 23rd state to be sued by the DOJ for this information. Protecting voters’ personal data is a responsibility the Secretary of the State takes seriously.

Does Connecticut comply with federal laws governing voter list maintenance?

Yes. The Secretary of the State complies with all federal laws governing voter list maintenance to ensure that Connecticut’s voting lists are accurate and up to date. This includes how the state and local registrars:

  • Remove deceased voters;
  • Address duplicate registrations;
  • Conduct annual canvasses to confirm voter addresses;
  • Handle felony convictions and other eligibility issues.

What specific information is the DOJ demanding?

The DOJ has asked for an electronic copy of Connecticut’s complete statewide voter registration list that includes every voter’s:

  • Full name;
  • Party affiliation and voting history;
  • Residential address;
  • Full date of birth (including day, month, and year);
  • Driver’s license number and the last four digits of their Social Security number;
  • This is the most sensitive version of the voter file.

What happens next?

The case is now before a federal court. The court will decide whether federal law requires Connecticut to turn over the requested voter data. Until then, Connecticut will continue administering elections, maintaining voter rolls, and protecting voters’ personal information as required by law.

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