FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2025
Contact: nysnaacp@ssmandl.com

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‍BREAKING: NAACP NEW YORK STATE CONFERENCE FILE TO INTERVENE AS DEFENDANTS IN THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE LAWSUIT AGAINST NEW YORK STATE - WORKING TO PROTECT NEW YORKERS AND BLOCK THE RELEASE OF SENSITIVE VOTER INFORMATION

With Voting Rights Under Constant Threat From The Trump Administration, The Elias Law Group Is Set To Represent The State Conference As A Defendant In The Suit

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New York, New York - Today, the NAACP New York State Conference filed to intervene as defendants,
following the announcement by the Department of Justice (DOJ) seeking sensitive voter information
from the state. Lawsuits were filed by the DOJ on Sept. 25, 2025, in the federal districts of six states
including New York.
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The motion submitted by the Elias Law Group contends that if the DOJ is successful, it will have an
immediate and harmful impact on New York State voters’ privacy.. The release of sensitive data of many
members and constituents will deter members from engaging in the political process for fear of
government mishandling or weaponization of such data, including through improper removal of voters
from the rolls.
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“It is clear this administration has no interest in protecting voting rights, but instead continues a
tyrannical tirade aimed at targeting and silencing anyone it views as detractors. Forcing disclosure of
New York’s voter rolls will intimidate voters and further silence communities already facing barriers to
participation,” said L. Joy Williams, President of the NAACP New York State Conference. “It will erode
trust in the democratic process, as people fear their personal information will be weaponized against
them. The NAACP New York State Conference remains steadfast — we will resist every effort to suppress
voting rights and protect our communities, no matter how aggressive the challenge.”
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The federal government’s demand for New York’s complete voter registration list is likely to sow distrust
of the electoral system, alienating the groups of voters most worried about improper government
scrutiny, including younger voters, naturalized citizen voters, and voters who were formerly incarcerated.
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The Elias Law Group filed the suit on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. As part of the federal government
shutdown, the court issued a district-wide stay. NAACP New York State Conference will be providing
updates as the case moves through the legal process.
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Central to NAACP’s mission is engaging in voter mobilization and registration. Originally formed in 1936,
the New York State Conference’s tenure stretches back nearly a century - fraught with examples of
members and constituents facing legal retaliation for their advocacy around civil rights and voting rights.
In response, the NAACP and the NAACP New York State Conference have a long tradition of fighting for
and protecting members, constituents, and the Black community at large from legal retaliation.
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Ensuring that our members and constituents are registered to vote is crucial to our broader civil
rights-focused mission. Consequently, we often work with schools and local youth groups to register
young voters. And we likewise partner with organizations supporting previously
incarcerated citizens, focusing on the restoration of their voting rights. The NAACP—and the NAACP New
York State Conference in particular—is able to perform this work effectively because it is viewed
as a trusted source of information and support in our community. For more information on how the
NAACP New York State Conference advances civil rights and empowers communities, visit our website.

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