Trump Admin: 250K Non-Citizens Registered to Vote in Four States; Iowa Audit Found 277

By John Damon

The Trump administration is doubling down on its claim that more than a quarter of a million non-citizens are registered to vote in four states, a figure that has sparked fierce debate over election integrity. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin amplified President Trump's assertion on Friday, saying the alleged 250,000 non-citizens were registered in California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Nevada — states that have refused to comply with federal demands for voter data.

Mullin also reported that an additional 28,000 non-citizens were found registered in 23 states that have cooperated with the administration's overhauled federal database. The claims come as the White House pushes for stricter voting laws, including the SAVE America Act, which would require photo ID and proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections.

What is the basis for the 250,000 figure?

A White House official told reporters that the estimate was based on an analysis of commercial databases. However, critics say this method is unreliable. David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, told CBS News that the data likely includes many eligible voters and could lead to wrongful removals from voter rolls.

“I guarantee you, that data includes a ton of people, maybe even a majority of people, who are absolutely eligible voters, and states would probably be breaking the law if they remove those voters from the rolls,” Becker said.

The administration has not released its full methodology, and the four targeted states have pushed back. Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt, a Republican, said the state's voter rolls are “properly maintained and updated” and noted that all evidence shows non-citizen voting is extremely rare.

Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar, a Democrat, called the numbers “wildly speculative” and said the Department of Homeland Security has provided no supporting evidence.

How does this compare to Iowa's audit?

Iowa has already conducted its own citizenship audit. According to data from the Iowa Secretary of State, the state identified 277 confirmed non-citizens who were registered to vote. Of those, 35 cast ballots in the 2024 general election, and five additional ballots were rejected. Iowa has more than 2.1 million registered voters.

The 277 non-citizens represent a tiny fraction of Iowa's electorate, but the findings underscore the importance of ongoing verification efforts. The Trump administration's claim of 250,000 non-citizens across four states amounts to roughly 0.1% of all registered voters nationwide, according to federal election data.

What have other state audits found?

Several Republican-led states have conducted similar audits. In Georgia, a 2024 citizenship audit found just 20 non-citizens among 8.2 million registered voters. Ohio identified 597 non-citizens registered, with 138 appearing to have cast ballots. Texas found 2,724 potential non-citizens among 18.6 million voters. Louisiana identified 390 non-citizens, 79 of whom voted.

These numbers are small relative to total voter rolls, but supporters of stricter laws argue that any illegal voting undermines election integrity. Critics counter that the instances are so rare they do not justify sweeping federal mandates.

What actions has the Trump administration taken?

President Trump has signed executive orders tightening mail-in ballot rules and requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register, though courts have blocked key provisions. The Justice Department has sued 30 states and the District of Columbia to obtain full voter rolls, but judges have dismissed 16 of those lawsuits.

DHS also overhauled its SAVE database to help states verify citizenship, but a federal judge ruled the administration acted unlawfully in creating the centralized system, saying it led to incorrect removals of U.S. citizens from voter rolls.

The president continues to pressure Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require photo ID and in-person proof of citizenship for voter registration. The midterm elections in November will determine whether Republicans maintain control of Congress.

What does this mean for Iowa voters?

For Iowans, the debate over non-citizen voting is not abstract. The state's own audit shows that while the numbers are small, the issue is real. The Trump administration's push for federal standards could affect how Iowa manages its voter rolls, especially if courts ultimately allow the SAVE database to be used more broadly.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, a Republican, has emphasized the importance of maintaining accurate voter rolls. The state's current system requires voters to provide identification when registering and voting, a practice that aligns with the administration's goals.

As the legal battles continue, Iowa voters can expect to hear more about election security in the run-up to November. The Trump administration argues that even a small number of illegal votes can sway close elections, while opponents warn that overly aggressive purges could disenfranchise eligible citizens.