Homeland Security Nominee Faces Questions on Election Security

Markwayne Mullin, the nominee for Homeland Security secretary, was questioned on Wednesday regarding concerns about the potential deployment of ICE agents near polling places in the upcoming November elections.

This inquiry from Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) follows some right-wing warnings suggesting that election security measures in various Democratic-led states might enable undocumented immigrants to cast votes in elections where they’re not legally allowed to participate.

While certain local elections have previously allowed undocumented immigrants to vote—starting with Takoma Park, Maryland, in 1993—federal regulations still prohibit them from participating in federal elections like Congress or presidential races.

During the exchange, when Slotkin asked whether elections are managed federally or at the state level, Mullin referred to the Constitution, stating that states have the primary responsibility for conducting elections, with federal oversight included.

He remarked on the SAVE America Act, which emphasizes American citizenship as a prerequisite for voting in federal elections. “I don’t think it’s too much to ask someone to prove they’re an American citizen in order to vote in a federal election,” he said.

Slotkin clarified she was not delving into the ongoing debate over the SAVE Act itself but expressed apprehensions about the potential for immigration enforcement actions on Election Day.

“If you were Secretary of Homeland Security, do you think you have the authority to deploy uniformed police officers in polling places in 2026?” she questioned. Mullin responded that his office had addressed this matter and affirmed that ICE would only be present in cases of a specific threat, emphasizing it wouldn’t be for intimidation purposes.

In return, Slotkin probed the nature of the threats that could justify such actions, pointing out that these operatives weren’t deployed during historical crises like World War II or the War on Terror.

Mullin reiterated that if a threat emerged targeting specific communities, such as the Jewish community, the public would likely understand the need for DHS to be present in certain situations.

Slotkin expressed concern, stating, “I think the reason you’re here and not Kristi Noem is that Americans trust local law enforcement far more than they trust ICE. So what I’m really saying is that if we ever find ourselves in a position where armed ICE officers are in polling places, then we’ve lost our ground as a nation.” She added, “Until I hear someone assure me that President Trump is committed to a fair election, there’s no trust here—I can’t believe he won’t attempt to steal it.”

Conservatives have raised questions about why deploying ICE at polling places is so contentious among Democrats, particularly since illegal immigrants cannot vote in federal elections and most state and local contests. Some have speculated about the possibility of election fraud.

In Connecticut, lawmakers plan to vote on a ban preventing warrantless enforcement actions within 250 feet of polling locations, with Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) advocating for a similar federal ban through social media.

New Mexico has already put a ban in place regarding ICE near polling areas. Federal law restricts military deployment near voting sites unless necessary to repel an armed enemy. Virginia is considering legislation that would include similar restrictions.

Rep. Matthew Blumenthal (D-Stamford), who authored the 250-foot ban and whose father questioned Mullin during the Senate hearing, articulated concerns that the Trump administration might engineer a national emergency or deploy federal agents to disrupt the elections and intimidate voters.

Conversely, some pro-Trump voices are arguing in favor of ICE’s presence to deter potential voter fraud. Former White House adviser Stephen Bannon stated on “War Room” in February, “We’re going to have ICE surrounding polling places in November” to ensure voting integrity by restricting participation to U.S. citizens with identification.