The Committee on House Administration held a full committee hearing titled “Oversight with Secretaries of State: List Maintenance and Eligibility Verification” on April 16. The session included testimony from Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, focusing on how states verify voter eligibility and maintain accurate voter lists.
This hearing comes as the House Administration Committee continues its oversight of federal elections, congressional contests, and Capitol security, according to the official website. The committee also plays a role in administrative matters within the U.S. House of Representatives.
During the hearing, Chairman Bryan Steil questioned Minnesota’s use of “vouching,” where one registered voter can vouch for up to eight others’ residency within a precinct. Simon said, “Yes, but they are only vouching for where they live, not their citizenship or age only.” He added that individuals must swear an oath regarding their residence. Steil raised concerns about whether this process could be misused if people provide inaccurate information.
Vice Chair Laurel Lee discussed blackout periods that prevent removal of deceased voters from rolls even when deaths are verified. Schwab responded by saying there is a ninety-day period during which no list maintenance can occur before federal elections: “Yeah, that’s 90 days of list maintenance that’s just lost.” He supported shortening this period or allowing exemptions for confirmed deaths: “I think it should be okay to remove me in that situation or anybody else that you have a confirmed death again. It’s got to be confirmed. It can’t be just by rumor.”
The discussion also addressed Kansas’s voter ID law enacted in 2012. Schwab said providing free IDs helped make the law bipartisan: “No, and the only barrier there was we had to provide a free ID… That’s how it became a bipartisan bill.” He explained that those unable to afford an ID can receive one at no cost after signing an affidavit.
Rep. Mary Miller asked about using the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database for verifying citizenship among registered voters following a White House briefing attended by several secretaries of state in July 2025. Simon said his office does not currently use SAVE because it would require legislative changes in Minnesota: “We have come to the judgment that it is not yet ready for use in Minnesota and would require our legislature to change our law.” Miller argued that using such databases could help ensure noncitizens do not vote.
According to the official website, the House Administration Committee has enhanced Capitol security measures following major incidents like September 11 and January 6; oversees operations related to federal elections; participates in joint committees on Library and Printing; serves as part of standing committees focused on operational matters; and played a key role passing legislation such as the Help America Vote Act in 2002 which allocated more than $3 billion toward improving voting systems.according to the official website.
As election integrity remains under national scrutiny, further hearings may address ongoing efforts by states and Congress aimed at improving verification processes while ensuring accessibility.
