The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has advised election officials in California, New Jersey, Nevada, and Pennsylvania of a preliminary review indicating that over 256,000 noncitizens could be registered to vote across these states. Letters obtained by Fox News Digital reveal that DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin informed state officials of these potential discrepancies.
According to the letters dated Friday, DHS compared voter registration records available to the public with federal immigration data. This comparison revealed thousands of potential matches. Secretary Mullin has urged state election officials to collaborate with DHS to verify these identities thoroughly before proceeding with any actions.
The estimated number of noncitizens registered to vote breaks down as follows:
- California: Approximately 190,832
- New Jersey: Approximately 35,152
- Nevada: Approximately 15,903
- Pennsylvania: Approximately 14,576
In terms of matched registrants, DHS found:
- California: 81,336
- New Jersey: 19,497
- Nevada: 8,576
- Pennsylvania: 8,594
These matches were based on names, dates of birth, addresses, and Social Security numbers, which aligned with noncitizens listed in DHS records.
Many noncitizens in the U.S. possess Social Security numbers, including lawful permanent residents, employment-authorized individuals, and certain visa holders. DHS utilized Social Security numbers as one identifier in aligning voter registration and immigration records.
The report by DHS is deemed a preliminary review. Secretary Mullin noted the importance of collaborative efforts for identity verification, highlighting the department’s readiness to offer immigration records under federal law to assist states in proper voter roll maintenance.
“Ensuring that only U.S. citizens participate in federal elections is vital for election integrity,” Mullin stated. “Having even a single non-citizen vote overrides the vote of one U.S. citizen.”
States are responsible for voter registration records, while the federal government holds necessary immigration data for citizenship verification. The letters request that secretaries of state contact DHS by July 24, enabling the exchange of records and assistance before upcoming federal elections.
The secretaries of state for California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Nevada did not immediately reply to requests for comments from Fox News Digital. These efforts are part of a larger push by the federal administration to ensure states collaborate with federal bodies regarding voter eligibility and election security.
Preston Mizell, a correspondent with Fox News Digital, contributed to the report.