Trump administration seeks to set aside ballots from suspected noncitizens

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 22:02 · Archive

The Trump administration asked Washington state to set aside ballots from over 400 people it suspects may not be eligible voters.

The Trump administration asked Washington state on Monday to set aside any ballots from more than 400 people it suspects registered to vote without U.S. citizenship. In a letter to the Secretary of State's Office, the Justice Department said it had identified 1,500 votes cast by the over 400 people in prior elections and asked the state to set aside any future ballots from these individuals until state officials can confirm they are legally eligible to vote. Washington state has more than 5 million registered voters.

Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd said in a news conference: 'We are asking the state to set aside those ballots until we can confirm they are legal voters.' Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said his office would review the administration's demand, noting that it had already received about 60 subpoenas from the Justice Department since last month seeking information about voters.

Hobbs stated: 'We take our responsibility to protect voter information seriously and will only respond to requests that follow due process. We see what's happening in California and don't want Washingtonians to be harassed.' The effort follows a similar Justice Department request in California to sequester mail ballots from up to 20,000 people suspected of not being citizens. California has challenged that request, and federal appellate judges have questioned its timing, constitutionality and authority.

How it is being reported

• Trump administration asks Washington to set aside ballots from 400 voters it says may be noncitizensThe Trump administration is asking Washington state to set aside any ballots received from more than 400 people it suspects registered to vote without U.S. citizenship.News4Jax · 26 Oct, 21:25
• Trump administration asks Washington to set aside ballots from 400 voters it says may be noncitizensThe Trump administration is asking Washington state to set aside any ballots received from more than 400 people it suspects registered to vote without U.S. citizenship.Clickorlando · 26 Oct, 21:25

In this story: Trump administration · Washington state · Justice Department · Neil Floyd · Steve Hobbs · California · Donald Trump

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