Explosive new ICE docs reveal election scheming

Wednesday, October 7

By Andrew Wyrich · Newsletter Editor

Hello, pro-democracy readers! Big yikes today: A trove of records obtained from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) revealed troubling information. We’ve broken it all down for you: How the agency investigated hundreds of voter registration groups, amassed millions of voter records and even investigated a store you’ve definitely seen at your local mall.

All that and more is on the docket today.

One final note: I’m taking an actual full-fledged vacation for the next few days (gotta charge up before the midterms!), so I’ll see you all next week. In the meantime, Sally will be curating the news for you.

ICE probed hundreds of voter registration groups, amassed millions of voter records and investigated a mall staple

Newly released documents show ICE collected 48.4 million voter records from “independent sources of information” as part of a “strategic line of effort” for voter fraud investigations.
The records also revealed that ICE investigated hundreds of nonprofits across the U.S. that help people register to vote over the past year and even contemplated sending undercover agents to investigate the organizations.
Yes, you are reading this correctly: Zumiez, a popular skate and streetwear store found in shopping malls across the country, was among hundreds of groups ICE probed. The company has supported voter outreach efforts and contributed nearly $2 million to Democratic committees and groups in 2024.
ICE tried to share voter data with Palantir, the data analytics and software giant co-founded by the conservative political activist Peter Thiel. ICE was waiting for Palantir to enter the voter data into an expansive and controversial surveillance tool, but it’s not clear whether the data was entered or not.
Marc just released a new video detailing all of the explosive findings and explaining how deeply ICE has become involved in elections.
Altogether, the findings offer one of the clearest pictures yet of how the administration’s immigration enforcement apparatus has become involved in elections — an area primarily administered by state and local officials.

➤ More on what the documents say about ICE

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Maryland voters skeptical of Democrats’ redistricting amendment, polls show

Maryland Democrats scored a win last month when the state Supreme Court allowed a constitutional amendment on redistricting to appear on the November ballot. But that victory may be short-lived.
New polling shows most Maryland voters are opposed to changing the state’s constitution to make it easier to redraw congressional districts.

➤ More on the poll

Trump sued for using taxpayer money on campaign-style ads ahead of midterms

While President Donald Trump himself is not on the ballot this year, the Democratic National Committee argued the taxpayer-funded ad campaign is part of an effort to bolster Republicans as they struggle to keep control of Congress.

➤ Read about the new lawsuit

Montana Supreme Court strikes down GOP restrictions on citizen ballot initiatives

The court invalidated key provisions of a 2023 law that imposed an exorbitant filing fee, barred voters from reconsidering defeated measures for four years and gave lawmakers a formal role in reviewing proposed initiatives before supporters could gather signatures.

➤ Why this is a win for direct democracy

Arizona early voting started today amid fights over election rules

Few states are entering this year’s elections with more unresolved fights over who should run them, how ballots should be cast and whether local officials will carry out their duties once the votes are counted.

➤ What you need to know

Here we share noteworthy briefs on all things voting rights and democracy. Have a footnote for us? Send it to newsletters@democracydocket.com.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D) reads Democracy Docket.
Ken Paxton, the election-denying GOP U.S. Senate candidate, tried to attack his opponent James Talarico (D) by claiming he’s been “missing for 11 days.” Of course, truth is difficult for these folks. Talarico has the flu.
Remember the taxpayer-funded ad the Trump administration released that was compared to a horror movie? Yeah, most people don’t want their tax dollars funding stuff like that, according to a new poll.

Today's newsletter was edited by Sally Holtgrieve and Dave O’Brien, and produced by Leila Fusenig. Learn more about our staff here.