NAACP takes Legal Action Against Department of Justice to Protect Voter Information in Utah
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2026
Contact: Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org
SALT LAKE CITY – Yesterday, the NAACP and the NAACP Tri-State Conference of Idaho, Nevada and Utah, as represented by the Elias Group, filed a motion to intervene in United States of America v. Henderson. In the lawsuit, the Department of Justice is suing Utah for not submitting voter information, which includes private information of all registered voters in Utah. The motion argues that if the DOJ successfully obtains the voter information, it will risk the sensitive data of NAACP members and harm civic engagement efforts by The Association.
Janette McCarthy-Wallace, General Counsel of the NAACP shared the following statement:
"State by state, this administration continues its attempts to assault our democracy. Federal law has long made voter list maintenance the responsibility of the states, but the Trump Administration and its Department of Justice now seek to illegally seize the private information of lawful citizens. We know from previous mishandlings that this government has not properly secured sensitive information, such as the social security numbers of U.S. citizens.
"The constitution was designed so that the President of the United States has no authority over free and fair elections and that voters can decide who represents them, free from intimidation and suppression. If presidents were allowed to control our elections, they would not be called presidents – they would be called kings.
"The NAACP will, at every chance, fight back against these injustices which set out to plague our communities. We'll see you in court."
The Department of Justice has sued numerous other states for not turning over sensitive voter information. Earlier this year, the NAACP secured a dismissal of the voter information case in California and more recently intervened in multiple such cases, including filing a Motion to Intervene in Georgia a few weeks ago. This voter intimidation from the federal level risks deterring qualified voters from engaging in the political process for fear of mishandling and weaponization of voter data, including the improper removal of voters from the rolls.
The NAACP takes seriously the profound impact of civic engagement and empowering voters. Any effort to disrupt this core component of our mission will be challenged. The Association will continue to educate voters and work to protect voting rights across our nation.
To view the full motion, click here.
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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.