Voter Roll Verification
Preliminary DHS Review Identifies 256,000 Potential Noncitizens on Four States' Voter Rolls
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Key Points
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DHS letters provide a state-by-state breakdown of potential noncitizen registrations: California up to 190,832; New Jersey 35,152; Nevada 15,903; Pennsylvania 14,576, plus a separate set of 'matching' counts where names, dates of birth, addresses and Social Security numbers aligned with DHS immigration records (California 81,336; New Jersey 19,497; Nevada 8,576; Pennsylvania 8,594).
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DHS emphasizes that many matches involve common identifiers and SSNs and cautions that these preliminary findings do not prove that noncitizens voted or are ineligible voters—state verification is needed before any action.
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DHS chief Mullin states the fastest path to accuracy is collaboration with state election officials on identity verification, and the agency says it is prepared to share immigration records to determine eligibility. The letters also indicate DHS plans a watchful approach toward states not cooperating.
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Voting-rights groups and Democrats have pushed back on the use of the SAVE system and the broader push, warning the approach could disenfranchise eligible voters and highlighting concerns about flaws in federal data systems and the legal framework for the program.
The Department of Homeland Security says a preliminary review found more than 256,000 potential noncitizen registrations on voter rolls across four states — California, New Jersey, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, according to NBC News. The agency sent letters to state officials with a breakdown by state, but stressed the numbers do not prove anyone voted illegally.
President Trump is expected to highlight the findings in a primetime address, framing them as evidence for the SAVE America Act, a bill that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, Sky News reported.
State-by-State Numbers Behind the DHS Letters
DHS letters gave a detailed count for each state. California had the highest total at up to 190,832 potential noncitizen registrations. New Jersey had 35,152, Nevada had 15,903, and Pennsylvania had 14,576, according to Sky News.
The letters also included a second, tighter set of figures — cases where names, dates of birth, addresses, and Social Security numbers all matched DHS immigration records. Those counts were lower: California 81,336; New Jersey 19,497; Pennsylvania 8,594; and Nevada 8,576. A separate Western Journal report put the total figure even higher, at 278,000.
DHS Warns Numbers Are Preliminary, Not Proof
DHS was careful to say the matches are not confirmed cases of illegal voting. The agency noted that many matches share only common identifiers. State officials must verify each identity before any action can be taken.
DHS chief Mullin said the fastest path to accurate results is working directly with state election officials. The agency says it is ready to share its immigration records to help states check voter eligibility, according to The Australian.
Critics Say Flawed Data Could Strip Eligible Voters
Voting-rights groups and Democratic lawmakers pushed back hard. They warned the SAVE system — the federal database used to check immigration status — has known errors. NBC News reported that matching voter rolls to federal databases often produces inaccurate results because of data entry mistakes and name variations.
Critics argue the effort could lead to eligible citizens being removed from voter rolls. They also raised legal concerns about whether the federal government has the authority to direct states to purge registrations based on this kind of preliminary data.
SAVE Act Push Faces Uphill Battle in Congress
Trump is using the DHS findings to push the SAVE America Act through Congress. The bill would require every voter to show documentary proof of citizenship when registering. It has faced repeated resistance on Capitol Hill and has not yet passed, according to Sky News.
The DHS letters also hinted at consequences for states that do not cooperate with identity verification efforts. The White House has framed the broader push as a matter of election security. Experts say the debate now hinges on whether the data holds up under scrutiny — and how courts respond if states are pressured to act on it.
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