Justice Department Gives California 48 Hours to Review Alleged Noncitizen Voter List

The US Justice Department has given California officials 48 hours to review a list of alleged noncitizen voters or face legal action, according to a letter sent Tuesday to Secretary of State Shirley Weber. Acting Deputy Attorney General R. Trent McCotter wrote that Los Angeles County officials were handed a password protected thumb drive with the names of people the federal government believes are likely noncitizens and who were mailed ballots.

The letter demands that the state hold back ballots from those on the list until citizenship is confirmed. Ballots already mailed back should be set aside, and returned ones should not be counted until citizenship is determined. Otherwise, the department says it will seek emergency relief. A department spokeswoman said it will take all necessary legal action to protect election integrity.

Voter Fraud Claims and Court Record

The Justice Department has repeatedly claimed noncitizen voting is widespread, though studies show it is rare. Reuters found in September that states may have added more than 30,000 noncitizens to rolls since 2000 through glitches and clerical errors, but it was unclear how many voted. Experts say that is tiny against 170 million registered voters. The department’s Civil Rights Division has demanded nonpublic voter data from nearly all states and sued 30 of them, losing 26 cases without a win. Prosecutors also announced 16 new criminal cases on Monday.

California Stakes Ahead of the November 3 Election

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told California officials on July 16 that the state had noncitizens on its rolls. California could help decide control of the House, especially after voters approved a new congressional map that favors Democrats. Los Angeles voters will also consider a measure letting certain noncitizen legal residents vote in municipal elections.