FBI special agents searched an office of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative on Thursday, June 12, 2026, as part of a Justice Department investigation into the organization’s voter registration efforts. The progressive group has accused the Trump administration of using the search as a form of voter intimidation.
The FBI Cleveland Field Office confirmed law enforcement activity at the organization. The search represents the latest development in ongoing federal efforts to investigate voter registration activities across multiple states.
Main developments
The Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a progressive organization formed in 2007, became the subject of federal scrutiny when FBI agents arrived at one of its offices on Thursday. According to a board member of the organization, agents also visited homes of people affiliated with the group.
Prentiss Haney, a board member and former director of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, responded to the search with strong criticism of the administration’s actions.
“It’s clear that this administration is fishing to try to drum up stories around fraud. It’s clear that this administration is trying to target civil rights leaders and community leaders and folks who are doing that work, because they don’t see a path for themselves to actually legitimately hold power beyond this year,” Haney said.
Haney further accused the federal government of overreach, stating: “They’re weaponizing the government, the federal government, and using taxpayer dollars to do illegitimate investigations in the state.”
Congressional response
Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, issued a statement condemning the FBI search and demanding answers from federal authorities.
“My office has contacted the FBI demanding information, and I am deeply concerned that this is an effort to use federal law enforcement to intimidate and halt voter registration and organizing efforts. This is an unprecedented attack on democracy: these raids must end immediately,” Brown said.
The congresswoman’s statement reflects growing concern among some lawmakers about the nature and purpose of the federal investigation.
What we know so far
The FBI search of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative occurred on Thursday, June 12, 2026. The FBI Cleveland Field Office has confirmed that law enforcement activity took place at the organization.
The search is part of a Justice Department investigation into voter registration efforts, though specific allegations or the precise focus of the investigation have not been disclosed.
Board member Prentiss Haney indicated that FBI agents visited not only the organization’s office but also homes of people connected to the group.
The Ohio Organizing Collaborative has a history that includes a 2017 incident in which a paid canvasser for the organization pleaded guilty in a fraudulent voter registration scheme.
U.S. Attorney David Toepfer of the Northern District of Ohio was in Washington during the time of the search. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced three immigration-related cases from the Northern District of Ohio.
Context of broader federal actions
The search in Ohio comes amid broader Trump administration efforts related to voter fraud allegations. In February 2026, the FBI raided a Georgia elections hub related to the 2020 presidential election.
In California, prosecutors are looking into claims of voter fraud in the Los Angeles mayor’s race.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose last year referred hundreds of cases to the Justice Department. According to those referrals, more than 1,000 noncitizens appeared to have registered to vote, and 167 noncitizens had cast ballots over four federal elections dating back to 2018.
What happens next
The Justice Department has not publicly commented on the specific nature of the investigation or its intended scope. It remains unclear whether the search is connected to Secretary of State LaRose’s referrals to the Justice Department.
Rep. Brown has contacted the FBI demanding information about the search and the investigation. The organization and its affiliates may face continued federal scrutiny as the investigation proceeds.
The outcome of the investigation and any potential charges remain unknown at this time.
Important details
The Ohio Organizing Collaborative was formed in 2007 and has operated as a progressive organization focused on community organizing and voter engagement in Ohio.
The 2017 guilty plea by a paid canvasser represents a prior incident involving fraudulent voter registration connected to the organization, though the circumstances and scope of that case differ from the current federal investigation.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has been active in announcing cases from the Northern District of Ohio, including three immigration-related cases, indicating ongoing federal activity in the region.
The organization has not been charged with any crimes, and the investigation is ongoing. The specific allegations driving the current federal interest have not been publicly disclosed.
Frequently asked questions
Why did the FBI search the Ohio Organizing Collaborative?
The FBI search is part of a Justice Department investigation into the organization’s voter registration efforts. Specific allegations have not been publicly disclosed by federal authorities.
What is the Ohio Organizing Collaborative?
The Ohio Organizing Collaborative is a progressive organization formed in 2007. It has been involved in community organizing and voter registration efforts in Ohio.
Has the organization been charged with any crimes?
No charges have been announced against the organization in connection with the current investigation. In 2017, a paid canvasser for the organization pleaded guilty in a fraudulent voter registration scheme, but that was a separate matter.
What has the Justice Department said about the search?
The FBI Cleveland Field Office confirmed law enforcement activity at the organization, but the Justice Department has not provided detailed public comment on the investigation’s focus or findings.
Are there other federal investigations into voter registration?
Yes. In February 2026, the FBI raided a Georgia elections hub related to the 2020 presidential election. California prosecutors are also looking into claims of voter fraud in the Los Angeles mayor’s race.
Official statements and reactions
The Ohio Organizing Collaborative, through board member Prentiss Haney, has characterized the search as an attempt at voter intimidation and an effort to target civil rights and community leaders.
Rep. Shontel Brown has described the search as an unprecedented attack on democracy and called for the raids to end immediately.
The FBI Cleveland Field Office confirmed the law enforcement activity but has not provided additional details about the nature or scope of the investigation.
A response from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose regarding the search has not been reported.
The investigation remains ongoing, and further developments may emerge as federal authorities continue their work in the Northern District of Ohio.
