Indiana’s Attorney General Todd Rokita and Secretary of State Diego Morales recently made a bold request for federal assistance in confirming the citizenship of more than half a million individuals on the state’s voter rolls. Their request, sent to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on October 11, 2024, is a move to ensure that only eligible U.S. citizens are allowed to participate in the state’s elections, including upcoming federal, state, and local contests. By confirming citizenship status, the officials aim to uphold the accuracy and integrity of Indiana’s electoral process.
The letter sent by Rokita and Morales emphasizes that protecting the integrity of elections is a critical government responsibility. Citing a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court decision, they argued, “States have a compelling interest in protecting the integrity and reliability of the electoral process.”
This sentiment was further underscored by stating that “preventing voter fraud” is necessary to “maintain public confidence” in election outcomes, which is essential to the “proper functioning of our constitutional Republic.”
The Indiana officials are seeking verification from USCIS under the authority of 8 U.S.C. § 1373, which allows state and federal agencies to request immigration or citizenship verification. The request specifically targets 585,774 registered voters in Indiana who either did not provide a driver’s license or Social Security number at the time of registration or are overseas voters. According to Rokita and Morales, verifying citizenship is particularly important for voters who may lack other identifying documentation, as it helps ensure that only those eligible under federal and state law are registered to vote.
The officials cite specific laws that prohibit non-citizens from voting in elections where U.S. federal offices are on the ballot. They noted that federal statutes clearly state that it is “unlawful for any alien to vote in any election held solely or in part for the purpose of electing a candidate for the office of President, Vice President, Presidential elector, Member of the Senate, [or] Member of the House of Representatives.” Additionally, they referenced that falsely claiming U.S. citizenship for the purpose of voting constitutes a federal felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
Indiana’s approach to confirming voter eligibility includes mandatory “list maintenance” on the state’s voter rolls to remove ineligible registrants. Indiana law requires state election officials to verify residency and citizenship status, removing voters deemed ineligible under specific criteria.
However, Rokita and Morales argue that current methods are insufficient for guaranteeing that every registered voter in Indiana is a U.S. citizen. In the letter, they highlighted the need to employ every available tool, especially federally mandated USCIS assistance, to verify citizenship status and ensure voter roll accuracy.
With the voter registration deadline having passed on October 7, and early voting starting on October 8, the officials say that time is of the essence. Election Day is nearing, and they believe that Hoosier voters deserve confidence that illegal votes will not dilute the legitimacy of their ballots. This sense of urgency is driving their request for prompt USCIS verification, with Rokita and Morales emphasizing the importance of public trust in the electoral system.
Secretary of State Morales commented on the importance of accurate voter records, describing it as the bedrock of a fair and secure election process. “A fair and secure election process begins with accurate voter information,” he said. Morales, who serves as Indiana’s Chief Election Officer, underscored his commitment to ensuring that only U.S. citizens participate in elections within the state.
He expressed pride in partnering with the Attorney General to gather missing information for voters who registered without a state-issued ID, calling it essential for preserving the integrity of elections and enhancing public confidence in election outcomes. “This is crucial to maintaining the integrity of our elections and increasing public confidence. Only U.S. Citizens can vote in Indiana. Period,” Morales stated emphatically.
Rokita and Morales point to federal law as providing the necessary legal framework for USCIS to fulfill this request. Under federal law, USCIS must respond to an inquiry from a state government agency that seeks to verify citizenship or immigration status for any purpose authorized by law.
By invoking this statute, the Indiana officials are leveraging their authority to confirm eligibility requirements and ensure that no non-citizens are able to influence U.S. elections through unlawful participation.
Although Indiana’s voter registration protocols require individuals to affirm citizenship status, the lack of a universally reliable verification method has posed challenges in preventing non-citizen registration. Rokita and Morales argue that relying on USCIS to cross-check citizenship information will add a crucial layer of oversight and verification, ultimately protecting election integrity.
As debates around voter verification and election security continue to unfold across the country, Indiana’s proactive approach may signal a shift toward more rigorous citizenship verification efforts at the state level.
The officials’ determination reflects broader national conversations about how to balance voter access with election security, ensuring that the electoral process remains fair and trustworthy for all Americans.
