Democrats Accused DHS of Undermining Midterms
Senator Mark Kelly and other Democrats signed a letter challenging the agency over claims about non-citizen voter registration.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Immigration
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Senator Mark Kelly and more than two dozen Democrats signed a letter accusing the Department of Homeland Security of intentionally undermining trust in the 2026 midterms. The lawmakers demanded that the agency provide evidence for previous claims regarding non-citizen voter registration.
Why it matters
The senators contend that recent agency actions appear to be calculated efforts to damage public confidence in the 2026 midterm elections and may lead to voter disenfranchisement. This dispute highlights growing tensions over federal involvement in election integrity efforts.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated in July that the agency identified 250,000 non-citizens registered to vote across 4 states. The veracity of these figures and the methods used by the agency remain under scrutiny following whistleblower reports.
The players
Mark Kelly
Mark Kelly is a Democratic U.S. Senator representing Arizona.
Markwayne Mullin
Markwayne Mullin serves as the Homeland Security Secretary.
Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security is a federal cabinet department responsible for public security and border control.
The details
A Department of Homeland Security whistleblower alleged that the agency directed employees to use sensitive, personally identifiable information to verify immigration statuses. The whistleblower further claimed that staff members impersonated voters to gain unauthorized access to voter registration websites.
Timeline
In July 2026, the DHS claimed 250,000 non-citizens were registered to vote.
On September 28, 2026, Democratic senators signed a letter regarding the conduct of the agency.
The 2026 midterm elections are scheduled for November 2026.
Political Context
Republicans have frequently argued that federal agencies should play a more active role in auditing state voter rolls to prevent non-citizen participation. Conversely, the signatories of the letter argue that these specific department initiatives overstep legal bounds and infringe upon state-managed election systems.
The conflict may lead to increased scrutiny of voter registration requirements for eligible citizens living in the 4 affected states. Residents should ensure their registration status is verified through official state election portals to avoid potential administrative hurdles before the November election.
The takeaway
This dispute underscores the critical importance of transparent inter-agency communication regarding election security. Voters should remain vigilant about official state communications to confirm their eligibility and avoid confusion caused by federal and state procedural disagreements.
Further reading
For additional context on the intersection of federal policy and the election process, visit Immigration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KJZZ.
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