Election Officials Get a Clear Message About ICE

A senior officer from the Department of Homeland Security called a meeting with state election leaders to confirm that immigration agents will not be present at polling places during the midterm elections. The official, named Heather Honey, assured participants that any rumors of ICE staff at voting sites were false. The call also included representatives from the FBI, the Election Assistance Commission, the USPS and the Department of Justice. The message came after some officials raised concerns that federal immigration operations could interfere with local elections. A law already prohibits armed personnel from entering polling locations, yet worries about possible interference remained high. When asked if states would receive alerts about such operations, Honey declined, saying there was no presence to report. State leaders had mixed reactions. In Arizona, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said he was not convinced by Honey’s statement and reminded participants of her past involvement in a controversial election audit that found no fraud. He described the audit as rooted in misinformation and criticized Honey’s reputation among election professionals.In Maine, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows noted that the federal government had not addressed state sovereignty concerns in months. She said she left the meeting uneasy about any potential federal interference with elections, which are constitutionally a state responsibility. Other officials echoed this sentiment, feeling the call offered little new information and avoided direct questions about state control. The meeting was part of a broader federal effort to discuss “preparations” for the upcoming midterms. However, participants reported a lack of concrete assurances or detailed plans from federal agencies. They felt the call was more about rhetoric than practical guidance, leaving many state leaders uncertain about how to protect their elections. Overall, the meeting clarified that ICE agents would not appear at polling sites, but it also highlighted ongoing tensions between federal agencies and state election officials over control, transparency, and the integrity of the voting process.