RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia’s attorney general has raised serious concerns regarding the actions of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). On Thursday, Attorney General Jay Jones announced that DHS may have broken several state laws after a whistleblower reported that its employees were misrepresenting themselves while using voter lookup tools to seek out noncitizen voters.
What Happened?
In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Attorney General Jones requested that DHS confirm in writing whether it directed anyone to access Virginia voters’ information without getting permission first. He pointed out that Virginia Election Code prohibits sharing this sensitive information with the federal government unless a court order is issued.
Legal Implications
Jones emphasized that state law explicitly restricts the use of voter lookup tools to individuals who can legally access their own records. This means that any unauthorized access could be a violation of state laws designed to protect voter privacy.
Whistleblower Report
The whistleblower’s report, which was shared by Democratic Senate leaders, included details of a training session for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services staff. The training reportedly forced staff to stop their regular work and complete a quick training session. They were then instructed to use lists provided by DHS to check individuals against state voter registration systems to identify “unlawful voters.”
Concerns Over Voter Privacy
According to the whistleblower, agents were tasked with reviewing 40 individuals each day, giving them just around 12 minutes to determine if each person was a legal voter. This tight timeline raises questions about the thoroughness and accuracy of such assessments.
Background Context
This situation is set against a backdrop of claims made by former President Donald Trump’s administration, which suggested that noncitizen voting might be prevalent and a potential source of election fraud. However, extensive research indicates that instances of voting by individuals who are not citizens are exceedingly rare. Additionally, the Justice Department has been working to obtain detailed voter data across 30 states and the District of Columbia, although it has faced challenges in those efforts.
Next Steps
Attorney General Jones has also urged Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin to preserve all records related to this matter, including access logs, communications, and training materials referenced in the whistleblower’s claims. The outcome of this inquiry could have significant implications for voter privacy and the legality of federal involvement in state election processes.
As this situation develops, it will be essential for both state and federal authorities to address these allegations transparently to maintain public trust in the electoral system.
