Federal judge backs Pennsylvania voter roll internet sharing ban
A federal court upheld Pennsylvania’s ban on online publication of voter registration rolls.
Why it matters: This decision clarifies that federal voter access requirements do not extend to online publication, preserving Pennsylvania’s approach to voter privacy. It affects election law, nonprofit data use, and ongoing efforts to balance transparency with information security.
- U.S. District Judge Joseph F. Saporito Jr. found Pennsylvania’s internet sharing ban lawful on April 23, 2026.
- The court said the ban does not violate the National Voter Registration Act or the First Amendment.
- The Voter Reference Foundation had challenged the rule, arguing for online publication rights.
- Violating the ban can lead to up to $6,000 in fines or three years’ imprisonment.
Pennsylvania’s restrictions on sharing its voter rolls online survived a legal challenge, after a federal district court ruling on April 23, 2026. The Voter Reference Foundation (VRF), which is linked to conservative political circles, had sued Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt, contesting Pennsylvania’s prohibition on internet publication of detailed voter data.
- Judge Joseph F. Saporito Jr. wrote that the state’s law “does not restrict any party’s access to data to which they are entitled; it only prevents the full voter export list from being published on the Internet.”
- The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) requires states to provide public access to voter registration data, but “does not require or even suggest that this access must take the form of unrestricted internet publication,” according to the court’s opinion.
- Pennsylvania sells a comprehensive Full Voter Export list for $20, but buyers must agree not to publish it online. Violation carries a potential penalty of a misdemeanor, with fines up to $6,000 or three years in prison.
- Al Schmidt, Secretary of the Commonwealth, said the ban aligns with Pennsylvania’s “dedication to protect the privacy of our voters.”
This decision reinforces boundaries between transparency and data protection—key themes in ongoing national debates over election policy and privacy. The ruling clarifies that election-related nonprofits and advocacy groups must pursue alternatives to broad online disclosure when working with Pennsylvania voter data.
Read more about the ruling from Penn Capital-Star and Bloomberg Law.
By the numbers:
- April 23, 2026 — Date of Judge Saporito's ruling
- $20 — Cost to obtain Pennsylvania's Full Voter Export list
- Up to $6,000 fine or three years in prison — Penalty for illegal online publication