A federal judge ruled that New Mexico election officials discriminated against the Voter Reference Foundation, a Republican-backed group, by denying them access to voter registration rolls. The ruling, issued on Friday by U.S. District Court Judge James Browning, prevents the state from withholding voter data from the foundation, which aims to expand its database to allow individuals and groups to search for potential voter irregularities or fraud.
The New Mexico Department of Justice plans to appeal the decision. The VoteRef.com website, run by Arizona GOP chair Gina Swoboda, has restored New Mexico voter listings, including details like street addresses, party affiliations, and voter participation. This move has raised concerns among privacy advocates and election officials, who fear the misuse of voter data could lead to voter intimidation or disenfranchisement.
Judge Browning previously ruled that New Mexico violated the National Voter Registration Act by denying the foundation access to voter rolls. The ruling overrides a state law limiting the use of voter registration data, while maintaining confidentiality for domestic violence victims, stalking victims, and certain public officials.
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