The Justice Department said Tuesday that is suing two states over their refusal to turn over complete voters rolls to the Trump administration – in an escalation of a conflict between the federal government and some state election officials that has been building for months.

WASHINGTON -- Maine Gov. Janet Mills is taking steps toward running for the U.S. Senate in 2026, sources tell The Associated Press, adding another big-name Democrat to the list of candidates expected to vie for key Republican-held seats next year.

The Justice Department alleges that Oregon and Secretary of State Tobias Read violated multiple federal laws by refusing to hand over the state's voter rolls.

The Department of Justice says the detailed data is needed to ensure Maine is accurately maintaining its voter rolls. But Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, says the DOJ is overstepping its bounds as part of a "fishing expedition.

As Maine Gov. Janet Mills weighs a challenge to GOP Sen. Susan Collins, three Democratic newcomers have drawn attention for their campaigns.

PORTLAND, Maine — Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day, with schools and colleges across Maine holding events to get new voters enrolled. Anyone who turns 18 by Nov. 5 is eligible to vote in this year’s referendum and municipal elections if they’re a Maine resident and U.S. citizen.

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows twice denied the DOJ's request for the information, which includes personal data such as birth dates, addresses and partial Social Security numbers.

There’s a bonafide primary contest among Democrats in the Maine race for the U.S. Senate. And one of the leading contestants, Gov. Janet Mills, isn't even an official candidate yet.

The lawsuit alleges Maine and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows violated federal voting laws by refusing to turn over voter data.