J. Christian Adams, president and general counsel of the Public Interest Legal Foundation, joins Rob Bluey on “Midterm Report” to examine noncitizens on voter rolls, weaknesses in state election systems, and what election officials can do before the 2026 midterms.
Adams discusses cases in California involving noncitizens who were registered despite indicating they weren’t U.S. citizens. He also explains why the true scope of the problem is difficult to measure, how states can use federal citizenship data to improve voter-roll accuracy, and why even a small number of illegal votes could matter in a razor-thin election.
Plus, Adams weighs in on voter ID, California’s election laws, early voting, and the states he believes deserve greater scrutiny heading into Election Day.
Watch the full conversation on the Daily Signal’s “Midterm Report.”
CHAPTERS
0:00 - Introduction & The Oakland Voter Registration Issue
0:32 - Welcoming J. Christian Adams (PILF)
1:05 - Noncitizen Voting Evidence in California
2:05 - Who Is to Blame for Systemic Breakdowns?
3:24 - Scope of the Problem Across the Country
5:24 - Potential Solutions & State Enforcement
7:09 - The DHS SAVE Database
8:32 - Federal Enforcement & Legal Accountability
9:44 - Problematic States & Election Law Academia
11:48 - California's Proposition 39 (Voter ID)
13:31 - Early Voting vs. Election Day Voting
16:49 - Becoming a Poll Worker or Observer
18:12 - Other State Ballot Measures to Watch
19:18 - About the Public Interest Legal Foundation
20:22 - Conclusion
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are noncitizens allowed to vote in federal elections?
No. Federal law prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections.
Do we know how many noncitizens are registered to vote?
Adams says the precise number is unknown and cautions that available government data can be unreliable.
Does being registered mean a noncitizen actually voted?
No. Registration and casting a ballot are separate issues. Adams discusses evidence of improper registrations as well as the challenge of determining how frequently noncitizens actually vote.
Why could a relatively small number of illegal votes matter?
Extremely close elections can be decided by very few votes, making voter-roll accuracy important regardless of the overall number.
What can states do about noncitizens on voter rolls?
States can use federal citizenship data, including the Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE database, to help verify eligibility.
Should voters wait until Election Day to vote?
Despite his concerns about early voting as a policy, Adams encourages voters to cast their ballots early rather than risk being unable to vote on Election Day.
LINKS
PILF Tied Vote Database
https://publicinterestlegal.org/tied-elections/
Dangerous Imbalance: Why Law Schools Graduate an Army of Activist Election Lawyers
https://publicinterestlegal.org/research/dangerous-imbalance-why-law-schools-graduate-an-army-of-activist-lawyers/
Heritage's Election Integrity Scorecard
https://electionscorecard.heritage.org/
California Proposition 39 Sydney Sweeney Adhttps://www.dailysignal.com/2026/10/22/california-sydney-sweeney-voting/
NEW FILM by Nick Freitas and The Heritage Foundation: “The Immigration Crisis That Will Destroy the West”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX0rwaEs5jA
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