Nevada Secretary of State Francisco "Cisco" Aguilar is requesting that the Trump administration provide evidence regarding noncitizens on state voter rolls.
The request centers on the integrity of the electoral process and whether the administration's claims of widespread noncitizen registration are supported by verifiable data. Because voter rolls are the foundation of election security, verifying these numbers is critical to preventing the disenfranchisement of legal voters, while ensuring only eligible citizens participate.
Aguilar is seeking the specific information the administration cited when alleging that noncitizens are registered to vote in Nevada. This follows broader claims that hundreds of thousands [1] of non-U.S. citizens are on voter rolls across just four states. Specifically in Nevada, records have been cited suggesting nearly 16,000 [2] purported noncitizens are in the state's voter files.
"We're asking for basic info," Aguilar said.
The request aims to determine if the administration's figures are accurate or if they stem from data errors. The dispute involves records and claims tied to the 2022 midterm election cycle. By demanding the underlying evidence, the Secretary of State intends to either verify the presence of ineligible voters or refute the claims entirely.
State officials are responsible for maintaining the accuracy of voter registration lists. If the Trump administration provides the requested data, the state can cross-reference those names with official records to determine citizenship status. Until that data is shared, the state cannot independently confirm the validity of the administration's assertions regarding the nearly 16,000 [2] individuals in question.
“"We're asking for basic info"”
This request highlights a growing tension between state-level election officials and federal administrative claims regarding voter eligibility. By forcing the Trump administration to produce its primary data, Aguilar is shifting the burden of proof from the state's maintenance systems to the administration's allegations. The outcome will likely determine whether the federal government's claims of systemic noncitizen voting are based on empirical evidence or administrative projections.
