Trump DOJ goes 0-8 as Maine and Wisconsin courts dismiss voter roll suits

Federal judges in Maine and Wisconsin dismissed the Trump DOJ's voter roll lawsuits on May 21, 2026, bringing its record to 0-8 out of 31 suits filed. Chief Judge Lance Walker — a Trump appointee — called the Civil Rights Act claim "half-hearted" and said granting it would require "turn[ing] a blind eye to traditional practices of federalism." Judge James D. Peterson found Wisconsin's voter list is not a record states must preserve under that statute because states generate it themselves. Twelve states had already handed over voter files including Social Security numbers without a court order.