Oregon’s Secretary of State Accuses Federal Agencies of Misleading Officials Over Voter Data Use

Oregon Secretary of State, Tobias Read, is concerned that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) are using confidential voters’ roll information ‘to keep tearing families and communities apart’.

Read Has Joined Nine Other States Demanding an Explanation by December 1

Together with nine other Secretaries of State, Read has sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, demanding disclosure of how they are using confidential voters’ roll information.

In the letter, the signatories seek clarity on whether the two departments ‘actively misled election officials regarding the use of voter data.’

Information sought included dates of birth, state driver’s license numbers, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers. ‘Given the unprecedented nature and scope of the DOJ’s requests, we require additional information about how this information will be used, shared, and secured.’

Signatories Claim the DOJ and DHS Shared Misleading and Contradictory Information

The signatories write that during two recent meetings arranged by the National Association of Secretaries of State, senior officials from the DOJ and DHS ‘shared misleading and at times contradictory information.’

The letter states that on August 28, 2025, DOJ’s Michael Gates led Secretaries of State and senior staff to believe that the department intended to use voter information to assess compliance with the voter list maintenance provisions of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).

The signatories have requested answers to their communication by December 1, 2025.

The DOJ filed a lawsuit against Oregon and Secretary of State Tobias Read on September 16 after Read refused their request to provide confidential voter roll information.

Daily Tidings is independent and free to read, thanks to readers like you. Help keep it going.

Support us

Morning Brief

Sign up today for our daily newsletter, a quick overview of top local stories and Oregon breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.

You can unsubscribe at any time.

What do you think?

Your email address will not be published.

Be the first to comment.

Latest News

All news
  1. Oregon Backs Court Fight Over VA Rule That Ended Abortion Care for Veterans and Their FamiliesHealth
  2. PGE Customers Across Northwest Oregon Can Comment Tonight on Proposed Rate IncreaseBusiness & Economy
  3. Oregon’s Wyden Plans to Subpoena Big Banks Over Epstein Ties When He Takes Over Senate FinancePolitics & Government
  4. Eugene Renters Could Get First Chance to Buy Their Homes Under Plan Council Discusses TonightPolitics & Government
  5. Oregon College Athlete Sues Police Who Shot Him After He Escaped Being Held HostageCrime & Courts
  6. Copper Thieves May Be Behind Hours-Long 911 Outage in Eugene and SpringfieldPublic Safety

Read More