AG Todd Blanche Discusses Potential DOJ Actions on Elections

NORFOLK, VA — Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed concerns on Thursday regarding the Justice Department's potential involvement in certifying votes during the upcoming midterm elections.

DOJ’s Role in Election Integrity

During a news conference, Blanche indicated that while it is not the department's goal to disrupt the electoral process, there remains an open possibility for action under dire circumstances. "I’m not going to rule anything out in terms of potential scenarios," he stated.

The Justice Department is currently deliberating litigation strategies against various states, driven in part by a recent lawsuit aimed at California. This legal challenge calls for the state to investigate approximately 18,000 registered voters suspected of being noncitizens attempting to vote illegally.

Concerns Over Mail Voting

California is not alone in its all-mail voting system; several other states, including Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington, have adopted similar practices. Critics, including former President Donald Trump, have raised alarm over mail-in voting, claiming it heightens the risk of fraud, despite casting his own vote by mail in Florida.

When questioned specifically about the possibility of the DOJ delaying ballot counting, Blanche remarked that although he hoped to avoid any improper interference in the electoral process, the department could intervene in extreme situations.

Legal Precedents and Election Law

Blanche emphasized that no current U.S. laws empower the Justice Department to directly challenge ballots or the timely certification of election outcomes. Election procedures are predominantly managed by state and local authorities tasked with validating results.

Despite some speculation, Blanche reassured reporters that he does not foresee a need for departments to obstruct election processes. "We are not looking to create chaos," he asserted, highlighting that the department's aim is to ensure that only eligible voters partake in elections.

“What we’re trying to do is guarantee to the American people that the only people that are voting are people that are eligible to vote,” Blanche added.

Soon after Blanche's remarks, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., responded by stating that Senate Democrats have been preparing for any such actions by the Trump administration. He asserted that the integrity of elections must be protected from any efforts to undermine voter rights.