The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has informed election officials in California, New Jersey, Nevada, and Pennsylvania that a preliminary review suggests over 256,000 non-citizens may be registered to vote across these four states. According to letters obtained by Fox News Digital, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that the department compared publicly available voter registration records with federal immigration data, identifying thousands of potential matches.
Mullin requested that state election officials collaborate with DHS to verify these individuals' identities before taking any action. The DHS estimates that California may have as many as 190,832 non-citizens registered, New Jersey 35,152, Nevada 15,903, and Pennsylvania 14,576. The department indicated it found specific matches for registrant details, including names, dates of birth, addresses, and Social Security numbers, with individuals in DHS immigration records. These matches included 81,336 in California, 19,497 in New Jersey, 8,576 in Nevada, and 8,594 in Pennsylvania.
DHS noted that many non-citizens possess legally issued Social Security numbers, including lawful permanent residents, individuals authorized to work in the U.S., and certain visa holders. The department utilized Social Security numbers as one of several identifiers in its comparison of voter registration and federal immigration records.
The department described these findings as a preliminary review and emphasized that collaborative identity verification is the most efficient way to ensure accuracy. DHS expressed readiness to provide immigration records, as permitted under federal law, to assist states in determining the eligibility of these individuals to remain on voter rolls.
Mullin asserted that maintaining the accuracy of voter rolls and ensuring only U.S. citizens participate in federal elections is crucial for election integrity. He stated that the federal government maintains immigration records, while states manage voter registration rolls, highlighting the need for cooperation. The letters urged the secretaries of state in the affected states to contact DHS by July 24 to initiate the record-sharing and verification process ahead of upcoming federal elections.
As of the report, the Secretaries of State for California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Nevada had not immediately responded to requests for comment.