NAACP New York State Conference Files Intervention Against DOJ
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2025
Contact: nysnaacp@ssmandl.com
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
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
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.
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.
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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