Justice Department warns California election officials over ballots from suspected noncitizens

Summary

The Justice Department warned California and Los Angeles County election officials on Friday that they could face criminal investigation and prosecution if they knowingly tabulate mail ballots cast by suspected noncitizens. One report says the warning could make officials liable as abettors of a federal crime if they count ballots from more than 20,000 people the administration says are probably noncitizens. It came a day after the administration sued California to stop the state from counting mail ballots from people it has identified as likely noncitizens until their immigration status is confirmed. The dispute is unfolding weeks before the midterm elections.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   16 Oct 2026, 23:11 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that the Justice Department warned California officials in a letter on Friday that they could face investigation and prosecution for knowingly tabulating ballots cast by suspected noncitizens, a day after the administration sued the state over mail ballots from people it identified as likely noncitizens.

2. The Straits Times

   17 Oct 2026, 02:20 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that the Justice Department on Friday warned Los Angeles County and California election officials they could be liable as abettors of a federal crime if they count mail ballots returned by more than 20,000 people the administration says are probably noncitizens.