DHS Flagged Three Georgia Counties for Language Access
A December 2025 memo outlined requirements for ballot access and potential prosecution of voter-related charges.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Immigration
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security identified Gwinnett, Cobb, and DeKalb counties in a December 2025 memo regarding voting language requirements. The internal document detailed federal protocols for the prosecution of voter-related charges.
Why it matters
The list was compiled to address legal requirements for ballot access under the federal Voting Rights Act. It underscores ongoing federal oversight regarding the management of voter rolls and election procedures in the state.
Federal law under Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act mandates non-English ballot access for jurisdictions where citizens with limited English proficiency reach 10,000 residents or 5% of the population. Gwinnett County has met these requirements since 2016.
The players
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
This federal executive department is responsible for public security, including the oversight of border and election-related integrity issues.
Department of Justice
This federal agency is the primary enforcer of federal law and is currently litigating to obtain access to state voter data.
Democratic National Committee
This national political organization manages the operations of the Democratic Party and utilized public records requests to obtain the DHS memo.
The details
The Department of Justice is simultaneously seeking access to Georgia's unredacted voter data following a 2024 state audit that identified 20 noncitizens on the rolls. Of these individuals, records indicate that nine noncitizens have cast a ballot in Georgia.
Timeline
Gwinnett County began providing Spanish ballots in 2016.
A state audit identified noncitizens on voter rolls in 2024.
The Department of Homeland Security emailed the memo in December 2025.
Political Context
Opponents and local officials have raised concerns about federal overreach regarding the potential deployment of agents at polling places. Critics argue that federal intervention in local election management challenges state sovereignty and established voter registration protocols.
The federal focus on voter rolls impacts administrative election procedures and the potential for increased scrutiny during future cycles. Residents in flagged counties may experience changes to local ballot accessibility or updated registration verification processes.
The takeaway
Understanding the intersection of federal language requirements and state voter roll maintenance is essential for tracking election integrity. These administrative actions highlight the importance of compliance with both state audits and federal mandates.
Further reading
Learn more about local policies at Georgia Immigration.
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Should local jurisdictions provide election materials in multiple languages to support voter access?
