Trump administration steps up actions related to voter fraud investigations and mail ballot verification ahead of 2026 midterms

The Department of Homeland Security announced a review aimed at identifying alleged voter fraud in a small number of states, a move that officials say is unusual so close to the 2026 midterm elections. The effort will be carried out by Homeland Security Investigations, a unit that typically handles crimes such as human trafficking and drug smuggling.

CNN reporters noted that federal agencies generally avoid overt investigatory actions near an election because unverified allegations could influence voter perceptions.

Separately, a federal whistleblower, whose report was released by Senator Richard Blumenthal, described the administration’s newly implemented mail-ballot verification system as problematic, warning that it could delay the delivery of entire batches of ballots if a single envelope does not match system records. The whistleblower said the system has not been fully tested and is the subject of ongoing litigation.

The administration has previously asserted that large numbers of non-citizens were registered to vote and that non-citizens cast votes in the 2020 presidential election, claims that experts have disputed.

In March, President Donald Trump signed an executive order expanding the United States Postal Service’s role in screening mail ballots. By June, reports indicated the administration was considering threatening to withhold delivery of mail ballots from states that did not provide voter-list data to the federal government.

Governor Mark Gordon of Wyoming recently requested a state investigation after Justice Department election monitors observed the state’s primary election, expressing concern about federal involvement in vote counting.

Legal challenges and court decisions are expected to shape how these initiatives are applied before the 2026 midterms.