Central South Dakota News

U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) has joined forces with Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and Representative Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) to seek clarification from U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland regarding the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) enforcement of laws aimed at protecting the integrity of U.S. elections.

In a letter addressed to Garland, the lawmakers highlighted the record number of border encounters since President Biden took office, noting that nearly 10 million individuals have either been released into or evaded apprehension while entering the United States. "We’re writing to inquire regarding the efforts undertaken by your Department to enforce the law that prohibits non-citizens from voting in our elections," they wrote.

The legislators expressed concern over instances where non-citizens have registered to vote, citing specific examples from South Carolina, Georgia, and Ohio. "Plainly, there are opportunities for and instances of non-citizen voter registration, and so the critical question is whether the laws against doing so are being enforced by your Department," they continued.

The letter was co-signed by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and JD Vance (R-Ohio), along with 41 members of the House of Representatives.

The group requested detailed information on several points, including the number of non-citizens charged under relevant statutes since January 20, 2021; steps taken by DOJ to investigate allegations of non-citizen voting; and measures implemented to prevent such occurrences in future elections.

"We look forward to your prompt reply," concluded the lawmakers.

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