Washington – The Secretary of State’s office in Washington is preparing a response to a recent Department of Justice (DOJ) letter that alleges more than 400 ballots were cast by individuals who appear to be illegal immigrants. Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd said the DOJ has identified over 400 illegal‑immigrant voters in both federal and state elections and believes the case may represent only a fraction of the total.
DOJ request and state response
In the letter addressed to Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, the DOJ attached records and set a deadline of October 28 at noon for Washington to identify U.S. citizens and segregate the suspect ballots until citizenship can be confirmed. Hobbs’ office issued a statement saying it is reviewing the request and will ensure any response complies with both state and federal law.
“Washington elections are secure,” the statement read. “Cases of voter fraud, including illegal‑immigrant voting, are incredibly rare, and every voter attests to their eligibility by signing the declaration on their ballot return envelope in every election.” The office added that suspected fraud cases are investigated and, when appropriate, referred to county sheriffs and prosecutors.
Concerns about the DOJ’s methodology
Secretary Hobbs also raised questions about the DOJ’s data‑gathering methods, noting that the federal system frequently flags legitimate U.S. citizens as illegal immigrants, potentially jeopardizing their constitutional right to vote. He warned that the DOJ’s handling of the records could expose private voter information for up to ten years, creating a serious privacy risk.
The records cited by the DOJ span more than three decades. One of the approximately 400 records dates back to 1994, a year in which Washington saw 113.5 million primary and general‑election ballots cast. NonStop Local calculated that the alleged illegal‑immigrant ballots represent a rate of roughly 0.000003 % of all ballots.
Historical context of illegal‑immigrant voting claims
Hobbs noted that, from 1982 through 2025, Washington has documented only 15 instances of illegal‑immigrant voting, a fraction of 0.0000006 % of total ballots. Federal law, specifically the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, makes voting by illegal immigrants a felony that can lead to deportation and loss of naturalization.
While the 1996 act left a theoretical door open for illegal immigrants to vote in state or local elections if state constitutions permitted it, no state—including Washington—has such provisions. Washington’s Attorney General’s office confirms that voting rights are reserved for U.S. citizens, and all mail‑in ballots require a signed declaration of citizenship.
National perspective and administration stance
President Trump has repeatedly emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of American elections. His administration has championed robust voter‑ID laws and strict enforcement against illegal‑immigrant voting, arguing that safeguarding the ballot box is essential to preserving the Constitution and the faith‑based values of American families.
Washington’s ongoing review aligns with the administration’s call for transparency and accountability in election processes. By scrutinizing the DOJ’s data and ensuring that any action respects voters’ constitutional rights, state officials are upholding the same principles of election security that the President has advocated nationwide.
What Washington voters should know
Voters in Washington can be assured that the state takes any allegation of illegal‑immigrant voting seriously while also protecting the privacy and rights of all eligible citizens. The Secretary of State’s office will continue to work with federal partners to verify the accuracy of the records and to maintain the confidence of Washington’s electorate.
For updates on this developing story, residents are encouraged to follow official communications from the Secretary of State’s office and local news outlets.
Original reporting: KHQ Spokane (news) — read the source article.
