NAACP Joins Lawsuits Against Justice Department to Protect Voters’ Privacy Nationwide
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8th, 2025
Contact: Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org
WASHINGTON — The NAACP announced today that it has joined lawsuits across multiple states, including Pennsylvania, New York, and California, to block the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) demand for access to sensitive voter registration data.
Represented by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and local legal partners, the NAACP argues that the DOJ's unprecedented demand for voter data threatens to erode trust in elections, open the door to voter intimidation, and lead to wrongfully blocking eligible voters from the ballot box.
"Let's be real: this has nothing to do with protecting democracy and everything to do with undermining it," said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO, NAACP. "The Trump administration is once again weaponizing the federal government to silence voters, particularly in Black and Latino communities. We will not allow millions of Americans to be treated as pawns in this latest authoritarian power grab. We're suing everybody we can to protect our communities and our right to vote."
On September 25, 2025, the DOJ filed suits in federal courts in California, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania in a blatant attempt to undermine voter privacy and suppress civic participation.
In each state, the NAACP's legal action underscores how the DOJ's overreach threatens to deepen distrust in elections and disproportionately harm voters most vulnerable to suppression, including young voters, naturalized citizens, and those with past criminal convictions who have returned to civic life.
The NAACP remains steadfast in its mission to protect civil rights and ensure free and fair access to the ballot box. To learn more about our mission, visit our website, naacp.org.
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ABOUT NAACP
The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.
NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.