CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Retired attorney George Powers filed a renewed civil complaint late last week in Laramie County District Court, challenging Wyoming Secretary of State and U.S. House candidate Chuck Gray’s decision to turn over the state’s voter rolls to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Powers, whose personal data appeared in the transferred files, argues that Gray acted beyond the scope of his official duties and violated Wyoming statutes that protect the privacy of registered voters. He is asking the court to declare the transfer unlawful and to bar any future disclosures of the same kind.
Background of the data request
In August 2025, the Justice Department sent a letter to Secretary Gray requesting Wyoming’s voter‑registration list, citing the National Voter Registration Act, the Help America Vote Act, and Section 303 of the Civil Rights Act. The request sought to assess Wyoming’s compliance with federal list‑maintenance requirements. The letter assured that the data would be protected under federal privacy provisions.
Gray responded that the disclosure was proper under the Civil Rights Act and that the Department would maintain confidentiality in line with Wyoming law. He noted that more than 20 states had complied with similar requests and that none had been reversed by a court.
Legal claims and prior actions
Power’s new filing builds on an earlier election‑code complaint filed in April 2026, which alleged that Gray violated Wyoming Statute § 22‑2‑113(d). That statute specifies that personally identifiable information—such as driver’s license numbers and partial Social Security numbers—are not public records and must remain confidential.
The complaint also seeks additional documents related to Gray and Attorney General Keith Kautz’s discussions about the federal request. Powers contends that Gray waived attorney‑client privilege by discussing the matter publicly and with third parties.
State officials’ response
Attorney General Kautz told the Wyoming Supreme Court that his office had hired an independent law firm and a county attorney to review the allegations. Both entities declined to bring charges. Kautz also said his office had turned over all non‑privileged materials to the court.
In a statement to Oil City News, Gray characterized the lawsuit as a politically timed effort to damage his congressional campaign, calling Powers a “left‑wing attorney” seeking to discredit election‑integrity work. Gray maintained that the data transfer was lawful and intended to support election integrity.
Broader context
The Justice Department’s nationwide push for voter‑registration data began in 2025, with more than 20 states complying to date. Powers notes that all 23 states that have challenged the DOJ’s demand have succeeded in federal court, though the department continues to appeal.
The dispute highlights the tension between federal oversight of voter‑list maintenance and state statutes that safeguard voter privacy. Wyoming’s Constitution and statutes protect the confidentiality of personal voter information, while the federal government argues that compliance is necessary to enforce national voting‑rights laws.
What’s next?
The case now proceeds in Laramie County District Court. If the court rules in favor of Powers, it could set a precedent limiting state officials’ ability to share voter data with federal agencies without explicit statutory authority. Gray’s campaign for Wyoming’s at‑large congressional seat remains active, with the primary election scheduled for early September.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
