Montana Seeks Federal Help to Clean Voter Rolls and Verify Eligibility

Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen has formally requested to enter into a partnership with federal agencies to enhance the state’s ability to verify voter eligibility. In letters addressed to the U.S. Attorney General and the Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Jacobsen expressed Montana’s readiness to exchange data aimed at securing state elections.

“Montanans have made it clear—they want elections that are safe, secure, and transparent, with only eligible citizens casting ballots,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to work with the federal government and exchange data that helps protect the integrity of Montana’s elections.”

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, the proposed collaboration would enable access to federal data to determine if individuals are properly registered or deceased. It also opens the door for Montana’s Attorney General’s Office to pursue prosecution of election-related crimes.

Jacobsen’s request aligns with a broader initiative launched by President Donald Trump in March through an executive order titled “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections.” The order directs the Social Security Administration (SSA) and other federal agencies to assist states in verifying voter rolls, particularly to identify non-citizens and deceased individuals.

Under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002, states already verify portions of voter registration data with the SSA — typically the last four digits of a registrant’s Social Security Number. However, Jacobsen’s proposal appears to seek a more comprehensive data-sharing agreement, potentially giving Montana greater access to the SSA’s Death Master File and other federal datasets to help clean up voter rolls.

Montana is not alone. In recent weeks, several Republican-led states have responded to the executive order by initiating or expanding similar agreements. Ohio, for example, recently joined the Alabama-run AVID system, a conservative alternative to the now-abandoned ERIC (Electronic Registration Information Center), which was used for cross-state voter roll matching.

These efforts reflect a growing national trend toward tighter voter list maintenance, a priority for Republican election officials who say such efforts are necessary to restore public trust.

Jacobsen’s announcement did not include a timeline for implementation, but her office indicated eagerness to begin the process once federal agreements are in place.