The FBI obtained the IP address of an individual who registered to vote online in South Carolina, according to emails revealed by Democracy Forward. An FBI agent in South Carolina requested the IP address of a voter's online registration in March, and state and local officials complied with the request, according to the documents.

The FBI received the voter's digital information in June, as indicated by an email exchange under the subject line 'Voter Investigation.' While an IP address can show a user's geographic location and service provider, it does not reveal a specific identity.

Alan Helms, a York County (S.C.) election official with 20 years of experience, stated that requesting this kind of information is 'not common.' Helms said the FBI's request was his first interaction with law enforcement of this kind.

Federal scrutiny of voting data

The request in South Carolina occurs alongside other federal efforts to access voter data. ICE has been requesting voter data in Texas and North Carolina, while the US Justice Department is suing 30 states and Washington, D.C. to gain access to voter rolls.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dillon sent a letter warning election officials about statutes banning non-citizens from voting in US federal elections. Dillon's office also announced it would send poll watchers to three Arizona counties ahead of the July 21 primary.

DHS general counsel James Percival issued a memo asking immigration officials to use voting-related crimes as evidence in deportation proceedings for noncitizens.

Registration errors and investigations

In New Jersey, approximately 6,600 noncitizens registered to vote due to a software error. Governor Mikie Sherrill (D) stated that her team's investigation has removed about 4,500 people from the state's voter rolls.

In North Carolina, a 2021 investigation found about 700 potential noncitizens had registered and more than 100 had voted in 2016. Most cases regarding the 2021 software issue resulted in no charges.

43 states

Number of US states that allow some form of online voter registration.