The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a federal lawsuit against Nevada on Friday, alleging that the state failed to provide complete statewide voter registration lists when requested, in violation of federal law. This lawsuit is part of a broader effort by the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, which has now sued 18 states—including Colorado, Hawaii, and Massachusetts—over similar concerns regarding compliance with federal election laws.
According to the DOJ complaint, Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar responded to an August 21 letter from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi by providing only a partial voter registration list. The version shared reportedly lacked crucial fields such as registrants’ full names, dates of birth, addresses, driver’s license numbers, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers. Aguilar’s response cited privacy concerns and indicated that Nevada law restricted the release of certain sensitive information. While he stated his office would follow up, the DOJ contends that the full information was never provided.
The DOJ asserts that under the National Voter Registration Act, the Help America Vote Act, and the Civil Rights Act of 1960, the attorney general has the authority to request and review statewide voter registration lists to ensure election integrity and prevent vote dilution.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon stated that states have a statutory duty to preserve the integrity of elections and that the DOJ will act when states fail to comply with federal requirements.
In response, Secretary Aguilar issued a statement defending Nevada’s actions. He argued that the federal government’s demands for private voter data raise serious privacy and data security concerns, and that Nevada is obligated to protect its residents’ sensitive information in accordance with state law. Aguilar accused the DOJ of attempting to intimidate states and influence election administration ahead of the 2026 cycle, emphasizing that the Constitution grants states the authority to run their own elections. He reiterated Nevada’s commitment to secure and accessible elections and stated that state officials are reviewing the litigation.
As of Friday, Aguilar reported that his office had not yet been officially served with the lawsuit.