FBI Searches Ohio Progressive Organization as Part of Voter Registration Investigation

On June 12, 2026, FBI agents conducted a search at the Ohio Organizing Collaborative's office in connection with a Justice Department investigation into the organization's voter registration efforts, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The search follows ongoing claims by former President Donald Trump regarding widespread voter fraud, which have been widely disputed by experts. Prentiss Haney, a board member of the organization, accused the Trump administration of attempting to intimidate civil rights leaders. An FBI spokesperson confirmed the law enforcement activity, while a Justice Department official stated that search warrants are authorized by a judge and that speculation surrounding the investigation is unfounded. Voter fraud in the U.S. is considered rare by government officials. The Ohio Organizing Collaborative, established in 2007, aims to promote social and economic justice. In 2017, a paid canvasser from the organization pleaded guilty to a fraudulent voter registration scheme. Rep. Shontel Brown expressed concern over the search, describing it as an unprecedented attack on democracy. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose previously referred cases of suspected noncitizen voting to the Justice Department, but it is unclear if the recent search is related to those referrals.