Democratic Secretaries of State Demand Clarity on Voter Data Requests

Wed Nov 19 2025 05:46:18 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Ten Democratic secretaries of state have formally requested additional information from the Trump administration regarding its efforts to obtain statewide voter registration lists, expressing concerns over transparency and data usage.

In a letter to federal officials, Democratic secretaries of state voiced strong concerns about possible misuse of voter registration data. They are demanding answers regarding the Justice Department's aims—especially in light of conflicting statements from various federal agencies about the handling of this sensitive information. The secretaries are particularly worried about the data being used in a citizenship verification program that could jeopardize voter confidentiality. They have given the administration until December 1 to respond to their inquiries.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Ten Democratic secretaries of state have demanded more clarity from the Trump administration regarding its extensive solicitation of statewide voter registration lists. Their concerns stem from the administration's potential misrepresentation and the implications for voter privacy.

In a letter addressed to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the state officials expressed “immense concern” over reports indicating that the Justice Department has been sharing state voter data with the Department of Homeland Security. They are particularly alarmed by the possibility that such information could be utilized in a federal program aimed at verifying U.S. citizenship.

“Given the unprecedented nature and scope of the DOJ’s requests, we require additional information about how this information will be used, shared, and secured,” the letter states.

The situation comes at a critical time with the 2026 midterm elections approaching, raising alarms among some Democratic-led states. The Justice Department has sought voter data from at least 26 states and has even taken legal steps against eight of them for non-compliance.

Voting rights advocates have also contested these actions, asserting that updates to federal verification tools could lead to unlawful purges from voter rolls.

Despite the requests made to several states, some have opted to provide redacted versions of voter lists or outright declined under state laws. The Justice Department, on the other hand, has insisted on access to detailed personal information including voter names, addresses, and more.

The communication from the secretaries references contradictory statements made by federal officials regarding the use of voter data. A meeting in August indicated that the DOJ's intention was to ensure voter lists were in compliance with federal voting laws, but a subsequent meeting revealed that the Department of Homeland Security claimed to have received this data for citizenship verification purposes.

The letter specifically highlights the need for accountability and security measures in safeguarding the data collected as well as compliance with privacy laws. The ten secretaries represent states including Arizona, California, Minnesota, and Oregon, and have asked for a detailed response from the administration by December 1.