Bob Evnen must give Trump’s DOJ every Nebraska voter’s sensitive info, and his answer about security proves nobody is safe

Nebraska will hand over sensitive information for every registered voter in the state to the U.S. Justice Department. The Nebraska Supreme Court denied an injunction, so Secretary of State Bob Evnen must comply with the federal request.

The Justice Department will receive information on every registered voter, including their addresses, dates of birth, and partial Social Security numbers. This involves millions of citizens’ personal data. Last week, a state judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the watchdog group Common Cause, which tried to block the release of voter information. 

According to ABC News, Common Cause lawyers argued the case threatened “the unprecedented and unlawful release of highly sensitive information of every Nebraska voter.” They warned that once the data is released, “that bell cannot be unrung.”

Evnen cannot guarantee federal protection of voter data

Secretary of State Evnen, a Republican, said he is dedicated to protecting voters’ personally identifiable information from misuse. He noted that the state Attorney General’s office had advised him that the federal request was “lawful and proper.” He explained he is giving the information to the Justice Department so they can check whether Nebraska is following federal voting laws. Evnen confirmed his office will upload the data electronically and include a request that federal privacy laws be followed.

When asked whether he was certain the Nebraska voter information would be kept safe and wouldn’t lead to voters being kicked off the rolls, Evnen admitted, “The only thing I’m positive of is that the sun won’t catch in a tree when it sets tonight.” This shows the uncertainty around this massive transfer. Sometimes random acts of kindness restore faith in people during difficult situations.

The Justice Department has been pushing states to turn over their voter data and other election records since last year. The department has sued at least 23 states and the District of Columbia to obtain voter rolls. The department claims it needs the data to ensure election security across the nation.

The push comes as President Trump declared he wants to “take over” elections from Democratic-run areas, with the November midterms approaching. The FBI recently seized 2020 ballots and other election documents from Georgia’s Fulton County in a raid. Meanwhile, Nebraska strengthens laws against package theft to protect residents.

Democratic officials argue the demand violates both state and federal privacy laws. Election officials across the country have raised concerns that federal authorities are trying to use this sensitive data for other purposes, like searching for potential noncitizens on the rolls. Earlier this week, a federal judge rejected the Justice Department’s attempt to obtain Michigan’s voter rolls, showing some states are successfully pushing back.