Federal Judge Recuses Herself from DOJ Voter Roll Lawsuit in Georgia

U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross recused herself on June 16, 2026, from a voter roll lawsuit involving the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. The recusal followed a DOJ motion citing Ross's attendance at a campaign event for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, which raised concerns about potential bias in the case. In her order, Ross stated that her recusal was appropriate due to the unique circumstances and the need to maintain the perception of impartiality. The DOJ's motion indicated that Ross's connection to Willis could lead observers to doubt her neutrality in the election-related case. The lawsuit pertains to voter roll access as part of the Trump administration's election integrity efforts, with Raffensperger arguing that state law restricts the release of confidential voter information. The case will continue with a different judge.