SANTA FE, N.M. — A federal judge has ruled that New Mexico election regulators and prosecutors discriminated against a Republican-backed organization by denying access to voter registration rolls.
The ruling prohibits the state from withholding voter data from the Voter Reference Foundation, strengthening the group’s initiative to create a free database of registered voters. This database aims to empower various organizations and individuals to identify potential irregularities or instances of fraud in the voting process.
In response to the ruling, state prosecutors have announced plans to appeal.
The VoteRef.com website has recently reinstated New Mexico listings, which now feature easily searchable information on registered voters, including street addresses, party affiliations, and participation in recent elections.
Concerns have arisen from election officials and privacy advocates regarding the push by conservative groups to access state voter rolls. Critics argue that this information could fall into the hands of malicious actors, leading to voter intimidation and potential disenfranchisement.
U.S. District Court Judge James Browning determined that the actions of state election regulators amounted to viewpoint-based discrimination and violations of free speech by denying the Voter Reference Foundation access to crucial voter data.
The VoteRef.com database encompasses voter information from over 32 states and the District of Columbia. It is led by a prominent figure in the Republican Party and a key organizer of a previous presidential campaign.
In past rulings, Browning found that New Mexico authorities violated public disclosure laws under the National Voter Registration Act by refusing access to voter rolls, countering a state law that limits the use of such data.
Importantly, the VoteRef.com site does not disclose how individuals voted, maintaining confidentiality for victims of domestic violence or stalking. Additionally, addresses remain confidential for more than 100 elected or appointed officials in New Mexico participating in a safety program established due to recent threats against lawmakers.
