Tennessee shares voter data with the DOJ, raising questions about privacy and oversight

In 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice requested voter registration data from states as part of a broader effort to review voter rolls. In 2026, Tennessee complied, providing its full statewide voter file—including personal information such as names, addresses, dates of birth, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers.

State officials said they were required to share the data under federal law, but raised concerns about how it would be used and stored. Tennessee ultimately declined to enter into a formal agreement that would have required the state to remove voters flagged by the federal government within a set timeframe.

The situation reflects broader questions about how voter data should be used and by whom, raising new questions about privacy, oversight, and how state rolls are maintained.

Why it Matters

Most people share basic details like their name, address, and date of birth when they register to vote, often without thinking about how that information might be used beyond their state:

• What happens next in Tennessee may not be fully clear
  Data-sharing efforts can be tied to how the state's voter rolls are reviewed and updated, including whether voters are flagged for removal.
• Decisions about voter rolls may happen outside your state
  Federal review of Tennessee's voter data introduces another layer of oversight, which could influence how voter eligibility is evaluated.

Background

States maintain voter registration databases to manage elections, verify eligibility, and track participation. These systems typically include identifying information provided by voters at the time of registration.

In 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice started requesting voter data from states as part of a broader effort to review voter rolls. In early January, Tennessee provided its full statewide voter file, including personal identifying information, after determining it was required to comply with the request.

At the same time, state officials raised concerns about how the data would be used and whether it would be handled securely. Tennessee declined to enter into a formal agreement that would have required the state to remove voters identified as ineligible by federal officials within a set timeframe, citing potential conflicts with existing law.

This request is part of a broader, and relatively new, federal effort to collect and review voter data across states. As these efforts continue, questions around privacy, data use, and oversight are likely to remain central to how voter information is managed.

Resources

The Tennessean - TN sends voter data including SSNs to DOJ, and DNC threatens lawsuit
Brennan Center for Justice - Tracker of Justice Department Requests for Voter Information