Oregon Secretary of State Calls Out Election Conspiracies After Federal Meeting

Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read expressed serious concerns about the integrity of upcoming elections following a recent video meeting with federal officials. The meeting, which included participation from the FBI, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security, was characterized by Read as lacking substance and clarity.

Read, a Democrat who took office in 2024, attended the meeting alongside Deputy Secretary of State Michael Kaplan. In a statement, Read remarked, “We heard a lot of bluster and not a lot of facts.” He emphasized the importance of public officials dedicated to safeguarding free and fair elections, while criticizing high-ranking federal officials for prioritizing conspiracy theories over public service.

Concerns Over Federal Involvement

The meeting was notable for the involvement of Heather Honey, a figure known for promoting election conspiracies. Honey has previously claimed that the number of ballots cast in Pennsylvania during the 2020 election exceeded the number of voters. Her participation raised alarms among state officials, especially given her recent appointment as a deputy assistant secretary for election integrity by the Department of Homeland Security.

During the call, Honey advised state officials to check their voter lists against the Homeland Security Department’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database. This database is generally used to verify the citizenship or immigration status of individuals applying for benefits. Although some states utilize it for voter registration maintenance, Oregon does not, as officials argue that it could lead to wrongful disenfranchisement of eligible voters.

The federal government has sought access to state voter rolls, leading to lawsuits against Oregon and 28 other states. A federal judge recently blocked the Trump administration from accessing Oregon’s voter registration records, highlighting ongoing tensions between state and federal authorities.

Election Security and Public Reassurance

Read’s office has voiced concerns regarding the SAFE program, asserting that it has falsely identified U.S. citizens as noncitizens. This misidentification could jeopardize the voting rights of eligible individuals. The Secretary of State’s Office maintains that relying on the SAVE database for voter registration is not only dangerous but could result in significant voter disenfranchisement.

During the discussion, Honey faced scrutiny from Democratic secretaries of state from various states, including California and Minnesota, as they pressed for clarity on the federal government data provided to the SAVE system. Notably, she denied claims that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents would be present at polling locations, addressing fears that were amplified by recent comments from former Trump adviser Steve Bannon regarding potential ICE activity at the polls.

It is important to note that U.S. law prohibits military personnel from interfering in elections, including deploying armed forces to polling places. As tensions around election security continue to rise, the focus remains on ensuring that all eligible voters can participate without fear of intimidation or misinformation.

As the 2026 elections approach, the dialogue between state officials and federal agencies will be crucial in addressing these issues and maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.