In a significant victory for election transparency, a federal court in Oregon has given the green light for a lawsuit aimed at ensuring the state’s voter rolls are accurate and up-to-date. This legal action, spearheaded by the non-profit organization Judicial Watch, seeks to enforce federal mandates that are essential for maintaining the integrity of our electoral process. For more information on how you can get involved and ensure fair elections, be sure to visit our voting page.
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Judicial Watch, the Constitution Party of Oregon, and two registered voters, alleges that Oregon has failed to comply with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). The NVRA is a cornerstone of American election law, requiring states to make a “reasonable effort” to remove ineligible voters from their official registration lists—specifically, those who have passed away or moved to a new residence.
This legal challenge has already garnered national attention, with the U.S. Department of Justice filing a statement of interest in the case. Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon underscored the importance of this effort, stating, “Accurate voter registration rolls are critical to ensure that elections in Oregon are conducted fairly, accurately, and without fraud…. States have specific obligations under the list maintenance provisions of the NVRA, and the Department of Justice will vigorously enforce those requirements.”
Judicial Watch initiated this lawsuit in October 2024 after an extensive investigation revealed a widespread failure to maintain voter rolls across numerous Oregon counties. Their findings indicated that 29 of Oregon’s 36 counties had removed very few or no registrations, despite federal law requiring such cleanup. The complaint further asserts that Oregon and 35 of its counties had voter registration rates that exceeded 100% of the eligible population—a clear red flag for an outdated and inaccurate system. With the highest known inactive registration rate of any state in the nation, Oregon stands as a prime example of why voter roll maintenance is so critical.
This is not an isolated case. Judicial Watch has been a national leader in this critical work, successfully pushing for voter roll cleanups in other states. Recently, federal courts in California and Illinois have also ruled that similar lawsuits filed by Judicial Watch can proceed, signaling a growing judicial consensus on the importance of enforcing the NVRA.
The impact of this work is undeniable. Judicial Watch announced in May that its efforts have led to the removal of more than five million ineligible names from voter rolls nationwide. The organization’s President, Tom Fitton, celebrated the Oregon court’s decision, saying, “We applaud the court’s decision to allow our case to continue its effort to clean up voter rolls in Oregon. Judicial Watch now has three federal lawsuits against three states to clean up potentially millions of names from the voter rolls.”
The organization’s dedication to voting integrity is supported by a team of highly experienced attorneys, led by senior attorney Robert Popper, who previously managed voting rights investigations for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Their work has a proven track record of success. The Commonwealth of Kentucky, for instance, reported that 735,000 ineligible registrations were removed from its rolls since 2019 following a consent decree from a Judicial Watch lawsuit. In New York City, a 2022 settlement with the organization has led to the removal of over 918,000 ineligible names.
In a related development, Judicial Watch continues its fight for election integrity at the highest level. The organization recently filed an opening brief to the Supreme Court of the United States in a case challenging an Illinois law that extended Election Day by 14 days, well beyond the date established by federal law.
These ongoing legal battles highlight the continuous need for vigilance to ensure that our elections are fair, transparent, and accurately reflect the will of the people. The court’s decision in Oregon is a powerful step forward in this crucial mission, reinforcing that compliance with voter roll maintenance laws is not optional—it is a legal obligation and a fundamental requirement for a healthy democracy. We will continue to monitor the progress of this case and other developments that promote election integrity. You can stay informed and find out how you can contribute to this vital work by visiting our voting page.
