AUGUSTA, Maine — The U.S. Department of Justice said Tuesday that it had filed a lawsuit against the state of Maine , accusing Secretary of State Shenna Bellows of violating federal election laws by refusing to turn over voter data.

In a news release announcing the lawsuit, DOJ officials claim Maine violated the National Voter Registration Act, the Help America Vote Act, and the Civil Rights Act of 1960 by refusing to produce an electronic copy of the state's voter registration list, the state's voter list maintenance program, and registration information for any ineligible voters.

Oregon and its secretary of state face a nearly identical lawsuit also filed Tuesday.

In response to the announcement, Bellows issued a statement Tuesday.

"Maine has some of the best elections in the natio

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