DHS Role in Election Security Highlighted Amid Policy Debate

Recent statements from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem have focused attention on the federal government’s role in safeguarding election systems, particularly as new legislative measures are considered.

On February 13, 2026, Secretary Noem stated that while states hold primary authority over elections under the Constitution, Congress grants certain responsibilities to the federal government, and that these responsibilities are managed by DHS under her leadership.

Noem also said she is responsible for identifying potential vulnerabilities in election systems and recommending mitigation strategies for state and local officials to implement. She described these efforts as essential to ensuring that elections are conducted properly, votes are accurately counted, and elected officials are placed into office.

Noem referred to elections as “critical infrastructure” within the scope of DHS’s mission to protect the country from attacks or disasters. In this context, she highlighted DHS’s role in defending election systems as part of its broader security mandate.

What the numbers show

• The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) was established within DHS in 2018
• At least 20 million U.S. citizens of voting age lack easily accessible proof of citizenship
• The House passed the SAVE America Act two days before Noem’s statements

CISA, a division of DHS, collaborates with state and local governments, election officials, federal agencies, and private-sector partners to assess and address risks to voting sites, databases, and equipment. The agency provides security alerts, training, and assessments to support these efforts.

Despite these activities, there is no law that gives DHS authority to oversee elections. DHS’s involvement is limited to offering voluntary support under statutes related to critical infrastructure, and direct oversight of state election administration has not been delegated to the department by Congress.

The Constitution assigns states the power to determine the “times, places and manner” of congressional elections, while Congress may enact election laws. Other federal agencies, such as the Justice Department and the Election Assistance Commission, also participate in election-related functions, including legal enforcement and equipment certification.

Noem’s statements followed the House’s passage of the SAVE America Act, which would require voters to present photo identification, provide documentary proof of citizenship for registration, and mandate the sharing of voter rolls with DHS. Voting experts have noted that millions of eligible U.S. citizens may not have immediate access to proof of citizenship, which could affect the implementation of these requirements.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.