The Trump administration says it is launching what it calls a “voter fraud investigation surge,” with Washington among nine states targeted by the effort.
The Department of Homeland Security wants states to provide voter registration records as the federal government investigates allegations involving non-U.S. citizens voting in American elections.
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs says he learned about the administration’s plan through a CNN report Monday night — and not from federal officials.
In a statement, Hobbs criticized the investigation and said voter fraud is extremely rare in Washington.
Hobbs says there were five cases of voter fraud in the state between 2008 and 2025, out of approximately 90 million ballots cast during that period.
He accused the federal government of wasting taxpayer money on what he called a false phenomenon and said the effort could create “chaos and confusion” ahead of the November midterm elections.
Hobbs says federal officials should instead help states protect election systems from cyberattacks and combat disinformation coming from outside the United States.
He says Washington election officials remain focused on administering what he called a secure and fair election for voters this November.
The Trump administration’s investigation comes as federal officials continue efforts to examine voter rolls and allegations of noncitizens participating in U.S. elections.
