Federal investigators conducted a search of a Cleveland-based organization that works on voter registration initiatives, confiscating paperwork and electronic records, according to an organizational board member who spoke Friday.
The operation represents another federal action targeting voting and election activities across various states, occurring in Ohio where competitive gubernatorial and U.S. Senate contests are anticipated this fall.
Agents arrived at the Cleveland headquarters of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative on Thursday, spending several hours interviewing personnel, according to Prentiss Haney, who serves on the grassroots group’s board. The organization began operations in 2007 with stated goals of advocating for criminal justice reform, racial justice and expanded voting access.
Investigators also visited residences of individuals connected to the organization, conducting interviews and gathering information regarding suspected voter fraud, Haney reported. He characterized the agents’ approach as “intimidation tactics and harassment,” while voicing concerns that the investigation aims to create uncertainty about upcoming elections.
The investigation’s specific focus remained unclear, though a source with knowledge of the situation indicated Friday that authorities were looking into possible fraud violations. The individual lacked authorization to discuss the matter publicly and requested anonymity.
Both the FBI and Justice Department refused to provide comment Friday.
During President Donald Trump’s second term, the Justice Department has initiated multiple legal proceedings and investigations concerning voting and state election systems.
Federal agents have confiscated ballots and additional records from Georgia’s Fulton County and Arizona’s Maricopa County related to the 2020 election, as well as materials from Michigan’s Wayne County concerning the 2024 election. Investigators have also conducted interviews with election personnel in Wisconsin’s Milwaukee County. These four counties are all located in states considered presidential battlegrounds.
The Justice Department has filed lawsuits against no fewer than 30 states plus the District of Columbia following their refusal to provide comprehensive voter information including birth dates and partial Social Security numbers. Court documents indicate the department seeks this data to process through a Department of Homeland Security citizenship verification system, though questions have been raised about the program’s reliability. The Justice Department has experienced consistent defeats in its legal efforts to obtain data from resistant states.
Trump also directed the Justice Department early in his second term to investigate ActBlue, the primary fundraising platform used by the Democratic Party.
Voter registration fraud allegations typically fall under state investigation and commonly involve individuals employed by organizations that compensate for registration sign-ups. California authorities launched an investigation this year into whether petition gatherers were paying people to sign ballot measures. In 2025, Pennsylvania officials filed criminal charges against seven individuals for submitting false voter registration documents.
