The Sconi

Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the Department of Justice, said that Wisconsin has failed to provide a voter complaint process as required under federal law. This statement was made on the social media platform X.

"Wisconsin thought it would be cute to systematically refuse to provide any HAVA complaint procedures for failure to maintain its voter rolls," said Dhillon. "We see you, Wisconsin, and call your bet."

The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) mandates that each state must offer a uniform and accessible process for voters to file complaints regarding violations of federal election law. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Wisconsin's Elections Commission lacks such a system when complaints are directed at the Commission itself. This shortcoming may be in violation of HAVA. The Commission contends it cannot legally adjudicate complaints against itself, citing a 2022 ruling by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. However, federal officials argue that this stance undermines voter accountability protections.

Wisconsin utilizes the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) to maintain accurate voter rolls, aiding in identifying voters who have moved or died. The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin asserts that this multistate partnership ensures compliance with HAVA’s requirement for up-to-date registration records. Despite ongoing political debate over ERIC’s application, it remains an essential tool for maintaining election integrity and compliance.

In recent years, the U.S. Department of Justice has initiated actions against several states, including Wisconsin and North Carolina, for failing to uphold proper HAVA complaint procedures. These cases represent a broader enforcement effort by the DOJ to ensure all voters have access to redress under federal election law. While national complaint data is not centrally tracked, these actions underscore compliance disparities across states.

Harmeet K. Dhillon is an attorney recognized for her work in civil rights and constitutional law and currently serves as Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. Dhillon was sworn into her position in April 2025 and previously founded the Dhillon Law Group, where she litigated high-profile cases concerning free speech and religious liberty. She holds a law degree from the University of Virginia and clerked for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice was established in 1957 to enforce federal civil rights laws and ensure equal protection under the Constitution. The DOJ notes that the Division investigates and prosecutes discrimination in voting, housing, education, and public accommodations with a special focus on protecting vulnerable populations. It operates nationwide and plays a crucial role in overseeing federal elections.