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The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating Utah Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson over her refusal to provide the state's unredacted voter registration list. The DOJ claims the 1960 Civil Rights Act grants it the right to access these records. However, Henderson and Utah officials argue that complying would breach state privacy laws.
The DOJ filed a lawsuit against Henderson in February 2026, seeking to compel the disclosure of the voter list. The case, United States v. Henderson, is ongoing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah. The DOJ argues that the records are necessary to ensure compliance with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). These acts require states to verify voter information and remove ineligible voters from their lists.
Utah has resisted the demand, citing privacy concerns and arguing that the federal government lacks a valid basis for the request. Most states have similarly refused to comply with the DOJ's efforts to obtain voter information. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the League of Women Voters of Utah and the ACLU have intervened in support of Utah's position, arguing that the federal demand could lead to voter purges and disenfranchise eligible voters.
The DOJ's request has sparked a debate over state versus federal control of voter records. Critics argue that the federal government's actions are an overreach, while supporters claim they are necessary for election integrity. The case is expected to face significant legal challenges as it progresses.