Trump administration asks Washington state to set aside ballots from more than 400 suspected noncitizen voters

Summary

On Monday, October 26, the Trump administration asked Washington state to set aside any mail ballots received from more than 400 people it alleges are registered to vote without US citizenship, less than two weeks after making a similar demand in California. The Justice Department said it had identified 1,500 votes cast by over 400 people in prior elections. The Straits Times reports the request asks the state not to count these ballots, which it says may come from possible noncitizens, and describes it as a new front in the administration's push to expand control of election administration ahead of the November 3 midterms. The Guardian describes the move as the latest sign of the administration's attempts to challenge states with competitive midterm races that could determine control of the US Senate and House, and to sow doubts about the election or its outcome.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   27 Oct 2026, 01:26 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that the Trump administration on Monday asked Washington state to set aside any ballots received from more than 400 people it alleges are registered to vote without US citizenship, less than two weeks after a similar demand in California.

2. The Hindu

   27 Oct 2026, 01:39 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that the Justice Department said it had identified 1,500 votes cast by over 400 people in prior elections, in its request that Washington set aside ballots from 400 voters it says may be noncitizens.

3. The Straits Times

   27 Oct 2026, 14:50 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that the US Justice Department has asked Washington state not to count any mail ballots received from more than 400 residents who it says may not be US citizens, opening a new front in the Trump administration's push to expand control of election administration ahead of the November 3 midterms.