DOJ charges 28 in California with voting crimes as election tensions escalate
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged 28 noncitizens with election crimes in California and is seeking to block the state from processing ballots from individuals flagged as potential noncitizens. This action is part of a broader federal effort to scrutinize voter rolls ahead of the upcoming election.
Why it matters
The move highlights intensifying tensions between federal authorities and state election officials regarding voter integrity and the legal status of voters.
The Justice Department announced on Monday it was charging 28 noncitizens with election crimes in California, signaling a further escalation over the state's voting system that looks like it will continue through Election Day and beyond.
The DOJ also filed an emergency request in federal court to stop California from processing ballots returned by people on the voter rolls whom the federal government says are "likely noncitizens." The state has asked for specific information on how the federal government came to its conclusions, but has not received it.
"This Department of Justice will not look the other way while noncitizens vote in federal elections," Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter said at a press conference on Monday announcing the election crime charges. "Unfortunately the same can't be said for California and L.A. County."
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