LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has secured two victories defending state elections and protecting the privacy of Michigan voters from the Trump administration. Today, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan decision to dismiss a lawsuit (PDF) filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that unlawfully sought Michigan’s full electronic voter list with no redactions for sensitive personal information, including full dates of birth, driver’s licenses, social security numbers, and personal identification card numbers. The motion to dismiss was filed by Attorney General Nessel on behalf of the Michigan Department of State and the State of Michigan. 

In its lawsuit, the DOJ argued that it has a right to Michigan’s unredacted electronic voter list under the Civil Rights Act of 1960 (CRA). The United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan rejected that argument, concluding that the electronic voter list is not a paper or record that comes within an election official’s possession for purposes of disclosure under the CRA. The Sixth Circuit affirmed that the qualified voter file is not a record subject to disclosure under the CRA. 

“The federal government continues to show a blatant disregard for voter privacy, but the rule of law has once again prevailed,” said Attorney General Nessel. “This invasive demand by the DOJ was a transparent attempt to intimidate and spread fear among voters, but my office will not be bullied by this administration and will always stand up against unlawful actions by the federal government.” 

“Michigan’s elections are safe and secure, and any attempt to suggest otherwise is an attempt to take away Michiganders’ constitutional right to vote and invade their privacy. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals made the right decision," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "I want to thank Attorney General Nessel and Secretary of State Benson for standing up for the rights of Michigan voters. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made to ensure everyone’s voice can be heard and every Michigander’s vote can be cast and counted. We’ll keep using every tool in our toolbox to protect the safety and security of Michigan elections.”

"The law cannot be any clearer– states run elections, the federal government is not entitled to Michigan voters’ personal data, and the president cannot change election law with the stroke of a pen," said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. "Now we have two more court rulings upholding the law and the truth. We will never back down when it comes to protecting our elections. I’m grateful that our state leaders are united in our resolve to fight any and every federal attempt to subvert the Constitution and silence the voices of Michigan voters."

Separately, Attorney General Nessel today secured a permanent injunction (PDF) with the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts blocking key provisions of Executive Order No. 14248 from taking effect in Michigan and other states. Issued by President Trump on March 25, 2025, the Executive Order attempted to conscript state election officials into the President’s campaign to impose documentary proof of citizenship requirements for voter registration, force States to ignore mail ballots that are cast by Election Day but received by election officials just days afterward, and withhold various streams of federal funding from the States if they fail to comply. A coalition of states filed a lawsuit challenging the Executive Order in April 2025 and secured a preliminary injunction blocking unlawful provisions of the Executive Order in June 2025. The coalition filed a motion for a permanent injunction in December 2025, and the court heard oral argument in February 2026. 

“I am relieved that the Court saw through the President’s illegal crusade to usurp state-run elections,” said Attorney General Nessel. “Whether it’s through executive orders or DOJ pressure tactics, this White House continues to peddle debunked conspiracy theories in its quest to federalize the electoral process. As the midterms get closer, we expect these desperate attacks will continue, but we are ready and committed to protecting the right to vote for Michiganders.” 

Joining Attorney General Nessel were the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. 

In April 2026, Attorney General Nessel also joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general and the Governor of Pennsylvania in challenging Executive Order No. 14399, the second elections-related Executive Order issued by President Trump. Executive Order No. 14399 attempts to interfere with States’ constitutional authority to administer elections by restricting voter eligibility and mail voting to lists of voters pre-authorized by the federal government. The coalition filed a motion for summary judgment later in April 2026 in order to permanently block those changes, which the court has yet to rule on.