A federal judge has declined to block the Department of Homeland Security from demanding that states screen ballots. Judge James E. Boasberg issued the ruling, allowing the agency’s requests to proceed for now.
The decision hands a temporary setback to Democratic plaintiffs who sought to halt the demands. The lawsuit challenged the administration’s push to review voter rolls and ballot eligibility.
Boasberg found that states had largely succeeded in rebuffing the Trump administration’s efforts to disqualify voters. He noted that the plaintiffs had not suffered direct impacts from the demands.
The ruling means D.H.S. can continue asking states for information on voter screening. It remains unclear how individual states will respond to the agency’s requests.
The case is part of a broader legal fight over federal involvement in election administration. Several states have pushed back against federal requests for voter data this year.
Boasberg’s order does not resolve the underlying legal questions. The plaintiffs may still pursue their claims in court as the case moves forward.
The judge’s reasoning focused on standing and the lack of direct harm shown by the plaintiffs. The administration has argued it has authority to seek the information.
