DOJ threatens emergency legal action against California over suspected noncitizen voters
DOJ Presses California to Act on Potential Non‑Citizen Voter List, Threatens Legal Action
The U.S. Justice Department has warned California election officials that it will seek emergency court orders unless the state takes steps to stop suspected non‑citizens from voting in the November 3 midterm election. The directive, sent to California Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Los Angeles County Registrar Dean Logan, demands that the two officials review a list of potentially ineligible voters within 48 hours and segregate any ballots that cannot be verified as coming from U.S. citizens.
The letters were mailed on Tuesday, and the DOJ set a hard deadline of noon Eastern on Thursday, October 15. Acting Deputy Attorney General R. Trent McCotter told Fox News Digital that thousands of people who may not be U.S. citizens have been identified on the state’s voter rolls. “This should not be controversial, as the criminal statute is clear: only American citizens may vote in federal elections. It is a federal crime for noncitizens to vote in U.S. elections, and the DOJ is asking California to ensure that is not occurring,” the department spokesperson said.
California’s response has been swift and skeptical. Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta spoke out during a Wednesday news conference, calling the DOJ’s move “an attempt to intimidate voters” and a continuation of the Trump administration’s broader narrative of “widespread voter fraud” that officials say is a “lie” and “a conspiracy theory.” “There is no widespread voter fraud problem. It doesn't exist. It is a lie. It is a conspiracy theory,” Bonta declared. He added that his office is working closely with Weber and Logan to determine the best way forward.
Los Angeles County has received a password‑protected USB drive that the DOJ says contains the voter records in question. Dean Logan explained that his office has not opened the drive, citing concerns over cybersecurity and data privacy. “We have not accessed the drive because doing so would conflict with established data privacy and information security protocols. We do not consider the device a secure medium. Additionally, the letter does not specify the number of individuals involved or describe the information contained in the records,” he said.
The dispute comes at a time when many Californians are already casting early votes. Federal law, which has been in effect for decades, prohibits non‑citizens from participating in federal elections. While the DOJ has identified potential ineligible voters, it has not yet proven that any illegal votes have been cast. The department’s threat to seek emergency relief hinges on the state’s compliance with the 48‑hour review request.
The situation illustrates a growing national tension over voter eligibility and election integrity. In several other states, the Justice Department has pursued similar claims of illegal voting, often citing concerns about non‑citizens on voter rolls. Whether the California officials will meet the DOJ’s deadline remains to be seen, but the implications for the state’s midterm elections—and possibly for the national political climate—could be significant.
