ELECTIONS, POLITICS, & GOVERNMENT
Lyman files new lawsuit against Lt. Gov. over voter registration information
Jun 6, 2025, 8:30 PM
Utah Rep. Phil Lyman speaks during Utah’s gubernatorial GOP primary debate held at the Eccles Broadcast Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
(Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former Utah Rep. Phil Lyman has filed a lawsuit against Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson in his latest effort to obtain state voter information following a lost candidacy.
Lyman, who ran for governor in 2024 and was dropped from the ballot following primary elections, has made multiple attempts to challenge election results.
Related: Incumbent Rob Axson defeats Phil Lyman in vote to lead Utah GOP
Now, he is suing Henderson over “Denial of Access to Private Voter Registrations and Private Voter Registrations Incorrectly Categorized as Withheld and Denial of Access to Year of Birth Information,” both cited as violations of the National Voter Registration Act, according to the lawsuit.
Related: Lyman petitions court to be named GOP candidate and have Cox removed from office
The lawsuit states that Henderson is “being sued in her official capacity only,” as her role as Utah’s chief election official makes her “responsible for coordination of State responsibilities,” which includes maintaining a statewide voter registration system.
While the lawsuit acknowledged that Utah state law does deny access to some voter information due to private or withheld registrations, it noted the public should be monitoring voter rolls and the “adequacy” of voter maintenance programs.
“Accordingly, election officials must provide full public access to all records related to their list maintenance activities, including their voter rolls,” the lawsuit states, citing the National Voter Registration Act.
The lawsuit also stated that the NVRA “preempts and supersedes any requirement or restriction” that is state-based.
In the filing, Lyman’s lawyers allege Henderson is denying Lyman access to said public list maintenance documents.
Lyman’s requests – a timeline
According to the lawsuit, Lyman requested “a copy of the statewide voter registration database, including data for voters classified as ‘Private’ and ‘Withheld,’” on Sept. 22, 2024. Upon said request, Lyman said he would consent to the redaction of personal identifying information such as social security numbers.
The Lieutenant Governor’s Office did not immediately respond to Lyman’s request, so in Oct. 2024, Lyman wrote to the Chief Administrative Officer of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office asking for the same materials.
On Nov. 4, 2024, the lawsuit states Brody Bailey, from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, responded and directed Lyman to the public version of the statewide voter roll.
“Regarding Mr. Lyman’s request for the complete voter roll, Mr. Bailey stated that ‘the Lieutenant Governor’s Office does not have discretion to ignore state statute and provide unrestricted access to the state’s voter rolls as you have requested.’”
On March 7, 2025, the Public Interest Legal Foundation sent a letter to Henderson and “several employees in the Lieutenant Governor’s office,” on Lyman’s behalf, notifying Henderson she was in violation of the National Voter Registration Act, according to the lawsuit.
The letter stated if the violation was not “cured” within 90 days, a lawsuit may be filed against her.
“Mr. Lyman received no response from the Lieutenant Governor or any other person at the Lieutenant Governor’s office following service of the Notice Letter,” the lawsuit states.
The Lieutenant Governor’s Office declined to comment on the lawsuit.
