Nebraska Court to Hear Voter Data Case in March

The Nebraska Supreme Court has accelerated the appeal of a lawsuit challenging the state’s plan to share voter data with the U.S. Department of Justice. Despite the expedited timeline, the hearing is scheduled for March, after the data transfer is planned to occur.

Legal Challenges and Court Decisions

A lawsuit filed by Common Cause Nebraska sought to prevent the state from releasing potentially sensitive voter information to the federal government. A Lancaster County District Court judge initially rejected a request to pause the data transfer. The Nebraska Supreme Court denied a subsequent request to reconsider the injunction, stating that such pauses should be granted “sparingly.” The court has set a hearing date for March 31.

State and Federal Responses

Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen confirmed his intention to transfer the voter data to the Department of Justice as planned this week. He stated that Nebraska is in compliance with relevant laws and expressed hope that the Justice Department’s review will ensure compliance among other states. Common Cause Nebraska expressed cautious optimism regarding the Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case, arguing that the data should not be released before a ruling. Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers’ office declined to comment.

Data Request and Concerns

Federal officials have requested voter data from 44 states and Washington, D.C., including names, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers. The stated purpose is to assist states in maintaining accurate voter registration rolls. While a majority of Democratic-run states have declined to provide the information, several GOP-led states have also refused or not responded, citing privacy concerns. Critics have raised concerns about the potential risks of consolidating state voter data at the federal level. The Justice Department has filed lawsuits against more than 20 states and the District of Columbia for non-compliance.