Trump's DOJ gives California 48 hours on alleged noncitizen voters

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 17:38 · Archive

The Justice Department has given California 48 hours to review a list of alleged noncitizen voters or face legal action.

The Trump administration's Justice Department has given California authorities 48 hours to review a list of alleged noncitizen voters or face legal action. Acting Deputy Attorney General R. Trent McCotter sent a letter to California Secretary of State Shirley Weber stating that federal officials had supplied Los Angeles County with a password-protected thumb drive identifying people the government believes are likely noncitizens who were issued mail-in ballots.

The directive requires California to withhold ballots from those on the list until their citizenship can be verified. Any ballots already returned from flagged voters must be segregated, and those already submitted should not be counted until citizenship has been determined. The letter warns that federal authorities will seek emergency court relief if state officials fail to comply.

Justice Department spokeswoman Kiersten Pels confirmed the letter and stated the department would take necessary legal action to protect election integrity and ensure compliance with federal law. Officials for California's Secretary of State and Governor's Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The New York Post reports that federal prosecutors announced 16 new criminal cases on Monday involving alleged noncitizen voting or fraudulent registrations.

How it is being reported

• California given master list of alleged non-American voters in state, given 48-hour ultimatum: fedsThe Trump administration has placed California on a 48-hour clock — demanding a review of suspected noncitizen voters or a showdown in court before the midterm elections.New York Post · 14 Oct, 17:22
• Trump’s DOJ threatens to block California votes in explosive pre-election showdownThe Justice Department on Tuesday gave California officials 48 hours to review a list of alleged noncitizen voters or face legal actionIndependent World · 14 Oct, 10:10

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

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