PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Ten Democratic secretaries of state have expressed deep concerns about the Trump administration's efforts to obtain comprehensive statewide voter registration lists. They conveyed their worries in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, emphasizing the need for clarity regarding how this information will be utilized and protected.
The request has become especially contentious as the 2026 midterm elections approach, with reports indicating that the Justice Department has sought voter data from at least 26 states, even filing lawsuits against eight. Voting rights advocates are also voicing concerns, fearing that recent changes to federal voter verification systems may lead to wrongful terminations from voter rolls.
In their letter, the election officials highlighted instances of apparent misinformation from federal representatives about the sharing and application of voter data. For instance, an official had initially indicated that the data collection aimed to ensure state compliance with federal voting regulations but later contradicted the information in a meeting.
As states navigate the complexities surrounding voter data compliance, some have opted to provide only redacted versions of their voter lists or denied such requests altogether due to legal constraints and privacy considerations. The Democratic secretaries are demanding answers by December 1, aiming to clarify the administration's intentions and the potential implications for voter privacy.
