DHS email reveals list of jurisdictions offering non‑English election materials

A heavily redacted internal email from the Department of Homeland Security, first disclosed by NPR last week, shows that DHS personnel circulated a list of U.S. jurisdictions that provide election materials in languages other than English. The email, dated sometime in 2023, was obtained by the news outlet through a Freedom of Information Act request and contains extensive blacked‑out sections, leaving only a brief description of the shared list and a note indicating its distribution among agency staff.

The purpose of the list remains unclear, as the email provides no explanation for why the information was compiled or disseminated. Officials from DHS have not commented on the document, and no agency statement has been released to clarify the context or intended use of the language‑access data. The revelation adds to ongoing scrutiny of federal involvement in election administration, though the redactions limit insight into the agency’s motivations or any subsequent actions taken based on the list.