NewsKPBS Public MediaSeptember 14, 2026San Diego County
Whistleblower alleges federal agents violated state laws during voter roll investigations
Photo: KPBS Public Media
An anonymous federal whistleblower alleges that Department of Homeland Security agents may have broken state laws by making false attestations to access restricted voter databases during a nationwide voter fraud hunt. Democratic lawmakers have called on DHS to halt the initiative, citing concerns over data reliability and potential voter disenfranchisement ahead of November's elections.
Read the full story at KPBS Public MediaWhy It Matters
Federal investigators operating under a productivity quota may have violated state laws to access private voter histories, raising legal questions and concerns about potential interference with eligible voters' rights.
Key Facts
- An anonymous federal whistleblower alleges that DHS agents may have broken state laws while searching voter rolls for the Unlawful Voter Initiative.
- Federal agents were instructed to plug personally identifiable information into public-facing state websites to check voter histories.
- The whistleblower report states employees may have been required to make false representations or attestations that they are the voter to access records, violating state laws such as in Virginia.
- The whistleblower believes leadership at headquarters directed thousands of potential state law violations.
- DHS's Office of Chief Counsel provided guidance stating agents could use state voter websites for adjudicative or investigative purposes.
- Training materials show federal officers were given a quota of at least five subjects reviewed per hour and 40 subjects per day, allowing only twelve minutes per subject.
- Training materials acknowledged that the voter data set used by agents contains inconsistent information.
- Senators Alex Padilla and Chuck Schumer made the whistleblower's report public and called on DHS leadership to halt the initiative.
- Previous audits have found instances of noncitizen voting to be very rare.
Who's Mentioned
PersonMarkwayne Mullin“Homeland Security Secretary recipient of letter from Padilla and Schumer.”OrganizationOffice of Chief Counsel at DHS' U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services“Provided guidance saying federal agents could use state voter websites for adjud”OrganizationDemocracy Defenders Fund“Nonprofit representing the anonymous federal whistleblower.”PersonJoseph Edlow“USCIS Director recipient of letter from Padilla and Schumer.”OrganizationDepartment of Homeland Security“Federal agency that launched the Unlawful Voter Initiative.”locationVirginia“Example of a state that requires a false attestation to search voter rolls.”OrganizationNew York Times“First reported the DHS initiative and the possibility that agents were breaking ”PersonAlex Padilla“Democratic U.S. Senator from California who received and made public the whistle”PersonChuck Schumer“Senate Democratic leader who helped make the whistleblower report public.”