A federal judge in Connecticut has ordered the state’s secretary of state to explain why she should not be compelled to turn over the state’s voter registration database to the U.S. Department of Justice.
In the order, U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley directed Connecticut Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas, in her official capacity, to show cause why she should not be ordered to provide the Department of Justice with an electronic copy of the state’s official voter registration list.
Judge Dooley’s order gives the secretary of state until January 20 to explain why the court should not require immediate production of the voter registration records and related documents needed to verify compliance with federal election laws. Any reply to the state’s response is due by January 23.
The court has scheduled a hearing on the matter for January 29 in federal court in Bridgeport, where the judge will consider whether to force compliance with the federal request.
