Trump administration subpoenas voter records in at least 13 states before midterms
The gist
The Trump administration issued more than 100 subpoenas for voter records across at least 13 states.
Officials warn the demands could undermine confidence in close midterm races.
How it unfolded
- Oct 19, 2026Homeland Security Investigations officers arrested a suspect accused of illegally registering to vote during a federal operation in Commerce, Calif.
- Oct 23, 2026U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin ordered the Department of Homeland Security to halt voter-fraud operations and interviews in nine states, calling the effort based on a highly flawed data analysis; she stayed the order until Friday at 5 p.m. to allow an appeal.
- Oct 23, 2026The Justice Department sent letters to California counties demanding they set aside ballots from voters the administration considers likely noncitizens, threatening criminal penalties for officials who count them.