Justice Department threatens California over noncitizen voter claim

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 18:02 · Archive

The Justice Department has threatened California with legal action over noncitizens who received mail ballots for November's election.

The Justice Department has threatened California with possible legal action over noncitizens believed to have received mail ballots for November's midterm elections. Trent McCotter, acting deputy attorney general, sent a letter to Secretary of State Shirley Weber providing Los Angeles County officials with a password-protected thumb drive containing a list of names the federal government believes are likely noncitizens sent ballots.

The letter gives the state 48 hours to determine whether any citizens are included on the list. For individuals whose citizenship cannot be independently verified, the state must instruct local election officials to segregate their mail-in ballots until their status can be determined and not provide ballots to anyone who has not yet received one.

The Justice Department warned that legal action may follow if the state does not meet the deadline. 'If you cannot implement this process by then, given the ongoing federal election, the United States will have no choice but to seek emergency relief,' the letter states. A similar letter was also sent to the Los Angeles County Registrar. The Trump administration has made the hunt for noncitizen voters a priority this year, though the problem is described as exceptionally rare.

How it is being reported

• Justice Department threatens California with legal action over claim of noncitizens on voter rollsThe Justice Department is threatening California with possible legal action over what it says are noncitizens believed to have received mail ballots for next month’s midterm elections.News4Jax · 14 Oct, 17:17
• Justice Department threatens California with legal action over claim of noncitizens on voter rollsThe Justice Department is threatening California with possible legal action over what it says are noncitizens believed to have received mail ballots for next month’s midterm elections.Clickorlando · 14 Oct, 17:17

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

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