Trump Administration Intensifies Voter Registration Campaign
The Trump administration is ramping up efforts to acquire voter registration data as the 2026 midterm elections approach. The argument is centered around concerns that noncitizens may illegally appear on state voter rolls, despite facing setbacks in federal courts.
This strategy involves three key components: collaboration with Republican-led states that are open to sharing voter data, legal actions against around two dozen Democratic and swing states that have refused to comply, and advocating for stricter voting requirements at the federal level. Although federal judges have largely dismissed the administration’s legal requests thus far, the Justice Department is increasing its initiatives as Election Day gets closer.
Hans von Spakovsky, a senior legal fellow at Advancing American Freedom, pointed out that voter rolls are a major focus for the upcoming midterms. He expressed concerns that noncitizens might vote, which is illegal in federal elections.
“The issue is that blue states, like Oregon, aren’t willing to engage in the necessary data comparisons,” von Spakovsky commented, alleging a lack of cooperation from these regions.
The Justice Department has made extensive requests for both publicly available and confidential voter information, including partial Social Security numbers and birth dates. Recently, Michigan’s Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson successfully challenged the federal government’s claims, asserting that they had no right to demand personal details of 7 million voters beyond what’s already public.
The Justice Department cited three federal laws—the Civil Rights Act, the Help America Vote Act, and the National Voter Registration Act—claiming they support its right to access classified information. However, Judge Hala Jarboo disagreed with this interpretation.
In other states, courts in Oregon and California have also rejected the Justice Department’s lawsuits. An appeal from the Justice Department may be forthcoming, but cooperation has been noted from red states including Texas, Alabama, and Mississippi, which have signed agreements to provide the requested information.
Moreover, Attorney General Pam Bondi urged Minnesota’s Democratic Governor Tim Walz to supply voter rolls from key battleground areas, suggesting this could help mitigate unrest linked to federal immigration issues. This move sparked outrage among Democrats, who argue that the Trump administration is undermining states’ electoral rights.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) labeled the communication a blatant attempt to manipulate elections. On the other hand, Bondi framed the request as a simple step towards restoring order, with a lawsuit regarding voter rolls still underway in Minnesota.
In Congress, the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility Act has been proposed, which would mandate in-person proof of citizenship for those registering to vote, alongside a new requirement for photo IDs at polling sites. The bill has gained traction among Republicans and was recently passed in the House, but it remains stalled in the Senate due to requiring bipartisan support.
Von Spakovsky highlighted important provisions within the SAVE Act, allowing private citizens the right to sue if compliance is not met.
He noted, “There’s a chance that election officials in blue states will be unwilling to enforce proof of citizenship should the Preservation Act be enacted.” This provision could serve as a measure against future administrations that might not prioritize the SAVE Act.
President Trump has consistently articulated that non-referendum voting threatens electoral integrity, pushing for stricter federal mandates. Recently, he suggested the possibility of implementing identification requirements through an executive order if Congress remained inactive.
“This is a fight we have to take on now!” Trump expressed on social media, indicating forthcoming actions if Congressional efforts fall short.
Additionally, the Making Elections Great Again Act is progressing through the House, proposing a wider set of reforms, including proof of citizenship, the elimination of universal mail-in voting, and stricter regulations on ballot acceptance after Election Day.
