DHS claims more than 256,000 non-citizens could be on voter registration lists in four states

Investigation Reveals Possible Noncitizen Voter Registrations

The Department of Homeland Security has informed election officials in California, New Jersey, Nevada, and Pennsylvania that over 256,000 noncitizens might be registered to vote in these states, based on preliminary findings shared in a letter.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin noted, in letters sent on Friday, that the department analyzed publicly accessible voter registration data alongside federal immigration records. This review suggested numerous potential matches requiring verification before any actions are taken.

According to the findings, California could have around 190,832 noncitizens registered, with New Jersey reporting 35,152, Nevada 15,903, and Pennsylvania 14,576. Specific figures indicated that there were 81,336 registrants in California and 19,497 in New Jersey, whose details matched those in DHS immigration records.

Interestingly, it’s important to note that many noncitizens include legal permanent residents and certain visa holders, who possess valid Social Security numbers. DHS uses these numbers among various identifiers when cross-referencing voter records.

Mullin emphasized that collaborating on identity verification would be the most effective way to ensure the accuracy of these findings. He also stated that DHS is ready to provide the necessary immigration records under federal law to assist states in confirming voter eligibility.

Ensuring that only U.S. citizens participate in federal elections is crucial for upholding election integrity, according to Mullin. He pointed out that even one noncitizen vote could negate a citizen’s vote, highlighting the need for careful management of voter registration records alongside federal immigration data.

The letter requests that the Secretaries of State reach out to DHS by July 24 to start the record sharing and verification process, which is crucial ahead of upcoming federal elections.

Officials from California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Nevada have not yet responded to requests for comments regarding this situation.

This communication aligns with the Trump administration’s ongoing push for states to enhance cooperation with federal entities concerning election security and voter eligibility, stressing that access to federal immigration records is essential for maintaining accurate voter rolls.