DOJ Urges California Counties to Identify Noncitizen Voters

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has sent a firm message to election officials across California, urging them to assist in the identification of potential noncitizen voters. This directive follows a recent escalation in efforts to ensure that only eligible citizens participate in federal elections.

Letters Sent to County Officials

On Friday, the DOJ dispatched letters to 57 out of the 58 counties in California, signaling a heightened push by the Trump administration to scrutinize the voter rolls for noncitizens. Notably, Los Angeles County also received a similar correspondence last week.

A letter addressed to Joani Finwall, the Registrar of Voters for San Bernardino County, was released to the public, revealing the seriousness of the DOJ's request. The letter, penned by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bilal Essayli, included a list of 1,133 individuals suspected of being noncitizens.

Immediate Action Required

In the letter, Essayli requested that the counties respond within 48 hours, committing to collaborate with the DOJ and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to determine the citizenship status of those on the list. He specified that counties should not proceed with sending vote-by-mail ballots or counting votes from these individuals until their citizenship can be confirmed.

“Segregation of ballots,” Essayli stated, “is necessary for individuals whose citizenship cannot be verified.” This measure is intended to prevent illegal voting and could have significant legal ramifications for county officials who fail to adhere to the request.

Legal Consequences of Noncompliance

Essayli emphasized in his letter that knowingly facilitating votes from noncitizens is a serious federal offense. “An alien voting in a federal election is a federal crime,” he wrote, warning election officials about the legal issues they might face if they were to ignore the DOJ's directives.

The implications are dire for officials who process ballots from noncitizens, as it may expose them to legal risks, which could include civil or criminal penalties.

Political Responses

The letters have sparked varied reactions from politicians and the public. California Senator Alex Padilla criticized the DOJ's actions, stating, “Trump’s DOJ has not provided any evidence for their claims of massive voter fraud.” He pointed out that the data being referenced is often “inaccurate and unreliable.” Padilla reinforced that the DOJ lacks the authority to interfere in state election processes despite the increasing number of lawsuits and threats toward election officials.

As the midterm elections approach, the Trump administration continues its campaign against noncitizen voting, particularly targeting California, a state known for its substantial Democratic majority. Recent lawsuits have been filed to prevent the counting of over 20,000 mail-in ballots suspected of being cast by noncitizens. The administration also appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to enforce restrictions before a ruling is made by a lower court.

The DOJ's push to involve local election officials in identifying noncitizen voters is seen as an aggressive maneuver, raising questions about voter accessibility and the potential disenfranchisement of legitimate voters.