Key takeaways
• A group of Democratic secretaries of state say federal officials misled them about voter data use
• The letter goes to the U.S. attorney general and Homeland Security secretary
• DOJ asked for voter data to check federal voting laws, then shared it with DHS to screen noncitizens
• Secretaries demand clarity on data sharing, security risks, and conflicting statements
• They seek a response by December 1 to protect election trust and voter privacy
Secretaries Seek Clarity on Voter Data
Ten Democratic secretaries of state wrote a letter to top federal officials, saying they feel misled about how their states’ voter data will be used. They sent the letter on a Tuesday to the U.S. attorney general and the Homeland Security secretary. Both agencies had asked for detailed lists of registered voters. States provided names, addresses, birth years, and phone numbers. Yet federal officials later said they were sharing this information with Homeland Security to look for noncitizens.
Conflicting Claims About Voter Data
At the first meeting on August 28, a Justice Department official said the agency wanted voter data only to check if states followed federal voting laws. But on September 11, a Homeland Security staffer denied requesting the data or using it. That same day, DHS publicly confirmed it had loaded voter data into its SAVE system. SAVE checks citizenship status, but it often gives wrong results. This mix of statements leaves secretaries worried and confused.
The Letter and Its Signers
The signed letter expresses “immense concern” over how the Trump administration handles voter data. Colorado’s Jena Griswold led the effort. She was joined by secretaries from Arizona, California, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. They warned that sharing massive voter data in an untested federal system could fuel false claims and disinformation. They want full details on data sharing, system security, and why officials gave mixed messages.
Sweeping Data Requests and Responses
Since spring, the Justice Department has asked at least 40 states for voter data. According to advocacy groups, the DOJ’s request to Colorado was among the broadest. It asked for “all records” related to the 2024 election and more. Colorado gave two copies of its full voter list, plus one copy of the post-2024 election history. Other states took different paths. Maine refused to share any data. New Hampshire said state law forbade handing over its voter roll. States worry that sending detailed voter data sets a risky precedent.
Why States Worry About Voter Data
Secretaries fear Democrats and Republicans alike could misuse voter data later. They worry that loading it into a federal system might lead to data leaks or errors. Errors in the SAVE system could wrongly flag citizens as noncitizens. That could open the door to false claims that valid votes came from ineligible people. In turn, such claims could harm public trust in state-run elections.
What’s at Stake
Elections rely on accurate, secure voter rolls. Trusted data helps states remove ineligible names and maintain up-to-date lists. But if federal agencies use voter data for unexpected purposes, states lose control. They can’t ensure strong protections once data passes into a new system. Secretaries want to know who accesses the data, how it stays safe, and whether any laws limit its use. They argue transparency is vital to keep voters confident.
The Role of SAVE
The Department of Homeland Security uses SAVE, or Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, to check immigration status. SAVE was not built for elections. It matches personal details against government records to see if someone is a citizen. Although useful for some benefits programs, SAVE often gives wrong matches. False noncitizen flags force people to prove citizenship. Secretaries worry that voter data mixed into SAVE could unfairly question lawful voters.
Other Election Security Moves
Secretaries note this data request is just one of many recent steps by the Trump administration. In March, an executive order aimed to purge noncitizens from voter rolls. Courts blocked key parts, but critics say it could disenfranchise eligible voters if enforced. Federal offices that once fought foreign election interference have disbanded. Officials have raised doubts about mail-in ballots. And the administration asks for the release of a county clerk who spread false election claims. All these moves heighten secretaries’ concerns about voter data.
Demanding Answers and Accountability
In their letter, secretaries ask for clear information by December 1. They list specific questions. What data did DOJ request? Why did DHS deny and then confirm using it? Who at each agency can access the records? What steps protect personal information from breach or misuse? What federal rules guide how voter data can be shared and handled? They expect written responses to these concerns.
Standing Together for Voter Privacy
Jena Griswold says she is proud to stand with nine other secretaries demanding answers. “We want to know if the administration is collecting mass voter data and using it to spread disinformation,” she said. They argue that clear rules and public trust are key to secure elections. Without transparency, they warn, voters may doubt whether their information is safe.
Next Steps
The letter marks a major push by state officials to hold federal agencies accountable. If they don’t get satisfactory answers by December 1, secretaries could seek legal action. They might file lawsuits to block data use or to demand more oversight. Meanwhile, states could tighten their own rules. They may pass laws limiting data sharing or require special safeguards before sending voter data anywhere.
What Voters Can Do
Voters concerned about privacy can contact their state secretary of state’s office. They can ask how their voter information stays protected. Citizens can also ask Congress to pass stronger laws on voter data privacy. Public pressure could help ensure any future data requests come with strict security rules.
FAQs
What exactly did the secretaries ask in their letter?
They asked for details on how DOJ and DHS share voter data, why officials gave mixed statements, who can access the data, and how personal information stays secure.
Why is the SAVE system a concern?
SAVE was built to verify immigration benefits, not elections. It often makes errors, risking false flags and disinformation about voters’ citizenship.
How many states received DOJ data requests?
At least 40 states got requests. Some complied fully, some partially, and some, like Maine, refused to share any voter data.
What happens if the federal agencies don’t reply by the deadline?
Secretaries may pursue legal action to block data use or force more transparency. They could also push state laws to limit future data sharing.