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A Department of Homeland Security official has assured state election officials that federal immigration agents will not be stationed at polling locations during the upcoming November midterm elections, addressing concerns raised by Democratic lawmakers about potential voter intimidation.
Heather Honey, DHS’ deputy assistant secretary for election integrity, made the clarification during a conference call with secretaries of state on Wednesday. “Any suggestion that ICE will be present at any polling location is simply not true,” according to Arizona’s Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, who participated in the call.
The assurance was confirmed by officials from multiple states, including Oregon’s Democratic Secretary of State Tobias Read and Kentucky’s Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams, who posted on social media that DHS “confirms to Secretaries of State that ICE agents will not be at voting locations this year.”
The call included representatives from several federal agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Election Assistance Commission, and Postal Service, as part of coordination efforts ahead of the midterm elections. The discussion comes amid heightened tensions surrounding election security and voting rights.
Democratic lawmakers have expressed concern about potential interference in the electoral process. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) recently voiced alarm during a congressional hearing about what she described as the possibility of “uniformed and masked ICE agents encircling polling places,” adding that “it’s not fantasy, and it’s not made up.”
These concerns stem partly from the Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement and the president’s continued claims about the 2020 election. Trump has repeatedly asserted there was widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election, despite courts and election officials across the country rejecting such claims.
Adding to the tension, the Department of Justice has been filing lawsuits seeking detailed voter data, though the specific rationale for these requests has not been publicly detailed. Earlier this month, the FBI executed a search warrant at an election office in Fulton County, Georgia, seizing ballots and other voting records from the 2020 election.
Democratic officials nationwide have expressed apprehension about potential interference in both the voting process and ballot counting during the midterms. They point to President Trump’s previous attempts to challenge his 2020 election loss, his pardoning of individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, and his appointment of allies who supported efforts to overturn the election results.
The U.S. Constitution clearly establishes that states, not federal officials, are responsible for conducting elections. Most states delegate this authority to their Secretary of State, who oversees the electoral process.
During the conference call, Democratic secretaries of state reportedly questioned Honey about the administration’s cuts to election security funding and its efforts to address noncitizen voting – an issue that experts note is already illegal and extremely rare in U.S. elections.
The White House has dismissed concerns about federal interference, citing the lack of disruption during last year’s elections, in which Democratic candidates performed well. Both Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons and Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott have testified in congressional hearings that their agencies are not involved in patrolling voting places.
As the midterm elections approach, the tension between federal oversight and state administration of elections continues to be a significant point of contention in American politics, reflecting broader partisan divides over voting rights, election security, and the integrity of the democratic process.
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7 Comments
While it’s good that ICE agents won’t be present, we should remain vigilant for any other forms of voter intimidation or suppression. Free and fair elections are the bedrock of a healthy democracy.
Absolutely. Robust election security and nonpartisan poll monitoring will be essential to ensure a smooth and trustworthy process.
This is good news that ICE agents won’t be monitoring polling places. Voter intimidation has no place in a democracy. It’s important that all eligible voters feel safe and secure when exercising their right to vote.
This is an important step, but there’s still more work to be done to ensure all eligible voters can participate without fear or hindrance. Ongoing collaboration between federal, state, and local officials will be key.
I’m curious to learn more about the specific measures being taken to protect voters and polling locations from any potential threats or disruptions. Safeguarding the electoral process should be a top priority.
It’s reassuring to see federal agencies coordinating to ensure the integrity of the upcoming elections. Maintaining public trust in the electoral process is crucial for democracy.
Agreed. Transparency and clear communication from election officials can go a long way in building that trust.