The Department of Homeland Security is reportedly set to begin voter fraud investigations in Washington and eight other states.
The Department of Homeland Security is reportedly set to begin voter fraud investigations in Washington and eight other states.
According to internal federal guidance reviewed by CNN, the effort is expected to run through mid-October.
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said his office was not contacted by Homeland Security.
In a statement, Hobbs called the investigation “troubling,” saying, “incidents of voter fraud are incredibly rare.”
He said Washington recorded five cases between 2008 and 2025 out of 90 million ballots cast.
FILE: A photo of Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. (Photo courtesy: Steve Hobbs campaign) Hobbs was elected in 2022.Read Hobbs' full statement below.
“I learned about the Department of Homeland Security’s ‘voter fraud investigation surge’ through the media, just like everyone else. Homeland Security made no attempt to contact me or representatives of my office about this.
“Unfortunately, this is not the first time we have learned about federal actions through the media.
“It’s troubling that Homeland Security is wasting taxpayer dollars investigating a phenomenon we know to be false.
“Incidents of voter fraud are incredibly rare. In Washington state, there were just five cases between 2008 and 2025, out of 90 million ballots cast during that time.
“This is another attempt by the federal government to cause chaos and confusion ahead of the midterms.
“I know that my office and county election officials across Washington state remain focused on administering a secure and fair election for Washington voters this November.”
