International
oi-Ashish Rana
The Trump administration has issued a strong warning to people who are not eligible to vote in the United States, saying they will face prosecution if they try to take part in the 2026 midterm elections. The warning comes as millions of Americans are heading to polling stations across the country.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned on Nov 3rd that ineligible individuals will face prosecution if they vote in the 2026 US midterm elections, while the Justice Department deployed over 1,000 monitors nationwide.
Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), said only American citizens should have the right to decide the country’s elections. He warned that anyone voting illegally would be tracked down and prosecuted under the law.
DHS Secretary Warns Ineligible Voters
In a post on X on Tuesday, 3 November, Mullin said the department would take action against people who attempt to vote despite being ineligible.
“If you vote illegally in this country, and you are NOT eligible to vote, @DHSgov will find you, hunt you down, and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Only American citizens should be deciding American elections,” Mullin wrote.
If you vote illegally in this country, and you are NOT eligible to vote, @DHSgov will find you, hunt you down, and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Only American citizens should be deciding American elections.
— Secretary Markwayne Mullin (@SecMullinDHS) November 3, 2026
His statement comes as voting is underway in the US midterm elections, which will decide the political balance of power in Congress.
Justice Department Deploys 1,000 Election Monitors
Meanwhile, the US Justice Department has announced a major deployment of election monitors and observers across the country to oversee the voting process.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division confirmed that more than 1,000 monitors and observers are being sent to all 50 states.
“Happy Election Day! @CivilRights is sending 1,000+ monitors & observers to all 50 states to help ensure a free & fair election. Every American’s vote should count,” Dhillon wrote on X.
Happy Election Day! @CivilRights is sending 1,000+ monitors & observers to all 50 states to help ensure a free & fair election. Every American’s vote should count. If you see any issue, report it to your local election officials or the Division at 1-800-253-3931 or [email protected]. https://t.co/WafKmMw1YF
— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) November 3, 2026
She also asked voters to report any election-related problems to their local officials or the Justice Department.
The department described this as the largest election-monitoring operation in its history. It is also the first time federal observers have been deployed across all 50 states. The operation includes personnel from different DOJ divisions, US Attorneys’ Offices and federal observers from the Office of Personnel Management.
What Is At Stake In The 2026 US Midterm Elections?
The 2026 midterm elections are important for President Donald Trump and his Republican Party. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 Senate seats are being contested. Voters are also choosing governors in 36 states.
Democrats need a net gain of three seats in the House and four seats in the Senate to take control of both chambers from Republicans.
The elections are also being seen as a major test of Trump’s presidency. Democrats are hoping to use voter concerns over rising energy costs, the ongoing conflict with Iran and other issues to regain control of Congress.
A Democratic victory in the House could allow the party to block parts of Trump’s legislative plans and investigate his administration. Control of the Senate would also give Democrats greater influence over senior government appointments and possible Supreme Court nominations.
