NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — Mayor Jon Mitchell announced Tuesday that the City of New Bedford will not be providing voter lists to the U.S. Department of Justice, despite the federal government’s request to do so. Mitchell said he is concerned the DOJ’s request is “a pretext” for the federal government to intervene in New Bedford’s elections. “Accordingly, we have decided not to produce the voter lists to the Department,” Mitchell said. Looking Ahead to Upcoming PrimariesMitchell said voters should not be concerned about the integrity of elections in New Bedford. "As we always have, we will continue to administer safe, open and lawful elections in the City of New Bedford,” Mitchell said.