Filed Date: Feb. 26, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
On February 26, 2026, the United States of America filed this lawsuit against Paul Ziriax, in his official capacity as Secretary of the State Election Board of Oklahoma and chief election officer for the state of Oklahoma in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. The proceeding arose from the Attorney General's investigation into Oklahoma's compliance with federal election law, particularly the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and Help America Vote Act (HAVA). On December 12, 2025, the Attorney General sent a letter to Secretary Ziriax seeking information regarding Oklahoma's compliance with federal election law, including a demand for a current copy of Oklahoma's computerized statewide voter registration list with all required fields. Secretary Ziriax refused to provide the unredacted voter registration list in a February 4, 2026, letter, stating he was "not legally authorized" to share it with the Attorney General⁻. The U.S. brought the action under federal jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1345, and 2201(a). In Count One, the government alleged that Secretary Ziriax violated the Civil Rights Act of 1960, 52 U.S.C. § 20703, specifically Section 303 of the Civil Rights Act, by refusing to produce election records demanded by the Attorney General. The U.S. sought a declaration that Secretary Ziriax's refusal violated the Civil Rights Act, an order requiring him to provide the current electronic copy of Oklahoma's computerized statewide voter registration list within five days, an order requiring production of other federal election records to ascertain HAVA and NVRA compliance, and such other relief as the interests of justice may require⁻.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Benjamin Glicksman (6/16/2026)
Claire Pollard (3/27/2026)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72336804/parties/united-states-v-ziriax/
Goodwin, Charles Barnes (Oklahoma)
Gardner, Christopher J (Oklahoma)
Handler, Travis (Oklahoma)
Abbuhl, Joshua Charles (Oklahoma)
Frasier, Frank W (Oklahoma)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72336804/united-states-v-ziriax/
Last updated June 26, 2026, 3:22 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations By the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: Feb. 26, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
United States Attorney General
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
State
Paul Ziriax
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Help America Vote Act (HAVA), 52 U.S.C. § 20901 et seq (previously 42 U.S.C. § 15301 et seq)
Other Dockets:
Western District of Oklahoma 5:26-cv-00361
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Issues
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:
Voting:
Access to Voter Rolls / Voter Information
Case Summary of United States v. Ziriax, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47976/ (last updated 3/27/2026).