Democratic Secretaries of State Demand Clarity on Federal Voter Data Requests

Wed Nov 19 2025 04:53:44 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In an unprecedented move, ten Democratic secretaries of state have expressed their concerns over the Trump administration's attempts to collect extensive voter registration data. They seek assurances about the data's use and security amid fears it could be linked to citizenship verification processes.

Ten Democratic secretaries of state have sent a letter to the Trump administration seeking transparency concerning its requests for state voter registration data. They are worried that the data, allegedly shared with the Department of Homeland Security, may be misused for verifying U.S. citizenship. The letter questions the DOJ’s intentions and the safety of the data collected, with responses sought by December 1st.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Ten Democratic secretaries of state have formally urged the Trump administration to clarify its expansive efforts to obtain statewide voter registration lists. Their concerns stem from allegations that federal agencies may have misled them regarding the collection and potential utilization of this sensitive data, particularly in connection with U.S. citizenship verification.

In a letter sent to Attorney General Pam Bondi and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, the secretaries expressed alarm over reports stating that the Justice Department shared state voter data with the Department of Homeland Security. They demanded more information on how the data will be processed, shared, and protected.

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the Republican administration's aggressive push for detailed voter data has become a source of contention among Democratic-led states. The DOJ has solicited data from at least 26 states and initiated legal action against eight of them demanding compliance. Meanwhile, voting rights advocates have raised alarms, asserting that updates to federal tools for verifying citizenship could lead to unlawful voter purges.

Some states have responded with redacted versions of their voter lists or outrightdenied the DOJ's requests, citing state law and the DOJ’s lack of compliance with federal Privacy Act requirements. The DOJ has reportedly insisted on obtaining personally identifiable information, including names, birth dates, addresses, and various identification numbers.

Even GOP-controlled states like South Carolina have grappled with this issue, caught in the crossfire of negotiations on how to address the administration’s demands. In their letter, the secretaries of state asserted that federal officials had provided conflicting information during meetings organized by the National Association of Secretaries of State.

During an August meeting, for example, a DOJ official indicated that the agency sought voter data to ensure compliance with federal voting laws. However, follow-up statements from the DHS claimed that while they had received voter data, it would be used solely for verifying citizenship—a claim contradicted by earlier assurances given to state officials.

As the DHS updated the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program this year, questions arose regarding its usage of voter data and the integrity of the information collected. The letter requested the administration’s clarification on data sharing and the protective measures to secure the data in compliance with privacy laws.

The concerned secretaries hail from Arizona, California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. They have requested detailed responses from the administration by December 1st, reflecting the urgent nature of these inquiries in light of upcoming elections.