Illinois voters’ privacy is on the line. The U.S. Department of Justice under President Trump has demanded access to sensitive voter information from Illinois’ State Board of Elections. The request includes full names, dates of birth, home addresses, driver’s license numbers, and even the last four digits of Social Security numbers.

So far, Illinois leaders have resisted. They have rightly provided only the limited public information already available to political parties and the public, while protecting personal data. But the DOJ has said that response is “not sufficient” and is pressing harder for full access.

The stakes are enormous. Experts warn there is no legal right for the federal government to demand this level of personal voter data. Federal law requires clarity about why data is being collected, yet the DOJ has not explained its purpose. Without transparency, Illinois voters face the risk of their private information being used for political gain or even election manipulation. Governor JB Pritzker has already warned that this may be part of an effort to “rig” future elections by fueling false claims of fraud.

Illinois must hold the line. Election law makes it clear: states, not the federal government, control how elections are run. The Trump administration cannot issue an executive order to force Illinois to comply. The authority rests here — with our state, our leaders, and our communities.

We call on the Illinois State Board of Elections and Governor Pritzker to continue rejecting these invasive demands. Protecting voters’ privacy is essential to protecting democracy itself. No voter should fear that registering to vote means handing over their personal information to Washington.

Illinois has a responsibility to its people and to the nation. If Illinois stands strong, it sets an example for other states to resist. If it folds, millions of voters lose trust in the system.

Sign this petition to demand that Illinois protect voter privacy, reject federal pressure, and stand firm against the release of sensitive voter data. Our democracy depends on it.