Democratic Secretaries of State Demand Clarity on Voter Data Use from DOJ and DHS

Democratic Secretaries of State Demand Clarity on Voter Data Use

In a bold move to safeguard voter privacy, ten Democratic secretaries of state have formally requested information from the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) regarding their handling of sensitive voter roll data. The letter, addressed to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, raises serious concerns about the potential misuse of personal information collected from voters.

The secretaries, representing states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington, expressed alarm over recent communications from the DOJ. They noted that several of them had received requests for statewide voter registration lists, some seeking full, unredacted access to sensitive data such as dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers.

“We will not tolerate being misled or voter data mismanagement,” stated Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. The letter seeks clarification on how the requested voter information will be used, shared, and secured, as well as whether the DOJ and DHS misled election officials about the intended uses of this data.

The secretaries allege that during a meeting with senior election staff in August, officials from the DOJ provided “misleading and at times contradictory information.” They claimed that the DOJ indicated it would use voter data to ensure compliance with the 2022 Help America Vote Act and the 1993 National Voter Registration Act, which allows voters to register through their state’s DMV.

Adding to their concerns, the letter referenced a statement from DHS on September 11, which indicated that the agency had received voter data to incorporate into its citizenship-check system, known as the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program. This revelation has raised significant Privacy Act concerns among the secretaries.

The letter demands a clear response from the DOJ and DHS by December 1, urging them to confirm whether they have shared or plan to share any voter information with federal agencies and if such data transfers adhered to established protocols.

Collectively, these ten secretaries represent approximately 26% of all registered voters in the United States, a significant portion of the 174 million Americans registered to vote in the upcoming 2024 presidential election, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

As the debate over voter privacy intensifies, the actions of these secretaries underscore the critical need for transparency and accountability in the handling of voter data by federal agencies. The outcome of this inquiry could have far-reaching implications for voter trust and the integrity of the electoral process.