Trump administration warns California officials over suspected noncitizen ballots

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 00:02 · Archive

The Trump administration is warning California officials that processing ballots from suspected noncitizens risks criminal prosecution.

The Trump administration is escalating its dispute with California, warning local officials that processing ballots from suspected noncitizen voters risks criminal investigation and prosecution. The letter from Justice Department officials was sent after the Trump administration sued California to prevent it from counting mail-in ballots from people the federal government has identified as 'likely' noncitizens until their immigration status is confirmed.

Trent McCotter, acting deputy attorney general, wrote that noncitizen voting in federal elections is a federal crime, and that knowingly facilitating such conduct is equally unlawful. Officials who tabulate ballots cast by individuals identified by federal agencies as noncitizens risk becoming 'aiders and abettors' to the crime, the letter states.

The letter is addressed to the Los Angeles County Counsel's office and copied to California Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Los Angeles County Registrar Dean Logan, effectively putting the entire state on notice. The lawsuit was filed after California officials were given, and did not meet, a 48-hour deadline to review a password-protected thumb drive that contained a list of 20,000 names.

How it is being reported

• California officials who process ballots from suspected noncitizens risk prosecution, US warnsThe Trump administration is escalating its fight with California ahead of next month’s midterm election, warning that local officials who process ballots submitted by suspected noncitizen voters are putting themselves at risk of criminal investigation and potential prosecution.News4Jax · 16 Oct, 23:28
• California officials who process ballots from suspected noncitizens risk prosecution, US warnsThe Trump administration is escalating its fight with California ahead of next month’s midterm election, warning that local officials who process ballots submitted by suspected noncitizen voters are putting themselves at risk of criminal investigation and potential prosecution.Clickorlando · 16 Oct, 23:28

In this story: Trump administration · California · Justice Department · Trent McCotter · Shirley Weber · Dean Logan · Los Angeles County

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