LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Jefferson County Clerk David Yates is asking a federal judge to dismiss a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit seeking access to Kentucky’s full, unredacted voter registration database.
Yates filed a motion to intervene earlier this month in the DOJ lawsuit seeking Kentucky’s unredacted voter registration list.
In a motion filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Yates argues the federal government’s request would require the release of highly sensitive personal information belonging to more than 3.3 million Kentuckians, including Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, birth dates and home addresses.
The DOJ is seeking the data as part of a federal lawsuit involving Kentucky’s voter records. Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams previously provided a redacted version of the statewide file, but federal officials are still demanding full access.
Yates argues the request goes too far and conflicts with federal and state privacy protections, saying it raises concerns about federal authority over state election systems.
He said releasing the unredacted data would put voters at risk and place election officials in an impossible position.
"It is my responsibility to protect the integrity of Jefferson County’s voter registration system and safeguard the private information entrusted to my office," Yates said. "Complying with the DOJ request would violate my oath of office, jeopardize voter privacy and disrupt the secure administration of our elections. For these reasons, we are asking the Court to dismiss the complaint in its entirety."
The filing warns that releasing the data could expose voters to identity theft and undermine public trust in the election process.
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