PHOENIX – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona has opened a case involving allegations that three nonprofit political organizations improperly registered noncitizens to vote in Arizona, referring the matter to the FBI for a federal investigation just days before the November 3 midterm election.
U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine announced the action Friday, following reports raising questions about voter registration activities conducted by three organizations:
- Stand Indivisible Arizona
- Worker Power
- When We Count
The announcement follows letters Courchaine sent October 26 to Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap, requesting that both offices examine voter registrations submitted by the organizations.
In the letters, Courchaine expressed concern that individuals working on behalf of the organizations may have violated Arizona election law.
“Based on written and video reports,” Courchaine wrote, personnel associated with the organizations “either intentionally disregarded or were recklessly ignorant” of Arizona’s prohibition against registering noncitizens to vote.
Courchaine specifically cited Arizona Revised Statute § 16-182, which prohibits knowingly causing or procuring the registration of an individual who is not legally entitled to vote.
“Based on a cursory review, it appears these organizations and their volunteers or employees may have violated A.R.S. § 16-182,” Courchaine wrote in both letters.
In his correspondence to Fontes, Courchaine requested a review of registrations submitted by the organizations to determine whether ineligible individuals had been added to Arizona’s voter rolls.
“Because you serve as the responsible state official, my office is requesting a review of registrations submitted by these groups to ensure only United States Citizens were registered to vote,” Courchaine wrote.
He made a similar request to Heap, asking the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office to review registrations associated with the organizations within the county.
The letters also emphasized the Justice Department’s expectation that state and county election officials cooperate in protecting the integrity of the voter registration process.
“Thank you for your ongoing work and cooperation,” Courchaine wrote to Fontes. “I trust that you are dedicated to securing Arizona’s elections as is the Department of Justice.”
In his letter to Heap, Courchaine similarly expressed confidence in the recorder’s commitment to election security.
Federal Investigation Underway
Friday’s announcement confirms that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has referred the allegations to the FBI for further investigation.
The Justice Department has not announced criminal charges against the organizations or identified individual employees or volunteers accused of wrongdoing. The allegations remain under investigation.
With Election Day approaching, federal prosecutors also issued a reminder that only U.S. citizens are legally permitted to vote in federal elections.
Noncitizens, including lawful permanent residents and individuals legally residing in the United States on visas, are not eligible to vote in Tuesday’s federal election.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office further warned that knowingly registering another person to vote while aware that the individual is ineligible can constitute a violation of federal law.
The investigation comes as Arizona election officials prepare for the November 3 election, with federal authorities seeking to determine whether the reported registration activities resulted in violations of election law.
The Justice Department has not disclosed how many voter registrations may be involved or whether investigators have confirmed that any noncitizens were improperly registered.
Read the Official Documents
U.S. Attorney Courchaine’s Letter to Secretary of State Adrian Fontes
U.S. Attorney Courchaine’s Letter to Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap
U.S. Attorney’s Office Official Announcement – October 30, 2026
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