DHS Investigates More Than 150 Voter Registration Nonprofits Ahead of Midterms

What happened:
According to media reports, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has investigated more than 150 nonprofits engaged in voter registration and voter education ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, and considered deploying undercover agents to infiltrate nonprofits. Democracy Forward has also released records it says detail federal efforts targeting voter engagement activity.

Why it matters for Pennsylvania nonprofits:
The National Council of Nonprofits (NCN) warns the reports raise serious concerns about politically motivated investigations designed to intimidate voting rights groups and chill civic engagement. Nonpartisan voter registration, voter education, and get-out-the-vote work remain fully legal for 501(c)(3)s — and this news follows a pattern of federal scrutiny of nonprofits this year, including the House Oversight Task Force and the House committees’ call for IRS investigations of data center opponents.

What nonprofits can do:
Keep civic engagement strictly nonpartisan and document your approach. Useful resources:

• NCN and Nonprofit VOTE’s Voter Engagement Guide and Preparing for the 2026 Election Season webinar
• Nonprofit VOTE’s Free and Fair Elections Guide
• Protect Democracy’s toolkit for organizations facing government investigations

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