DOJ Finds Over 400 Noncitizens Registered, Voted in Washington State
Acting U.S. Attorney says the number identified is likely 'the tip of the iceberg.'
Federal investigators have identified more than 400 noncitizens who were illegally registered to vote in Washington state, with some casting ballots multiple times over several decades, the Department of Justice announced. Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd stated that the number represents only "the tip of the iceberg."
According to Floyd, the investigation uncovered approximately 1,500 instances of noncitizens casting ballots. Some individuals on the list are reported to have voted as many as 27 times, with the earliest alleged votes dating back to 1984. Many of those identified hold green cards, granting them legal immigration status and permanent residency.
Investigators identified potential noncitizen voters by cross-referencing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records with voter rolls. Floyd indicated that the current list likely captures only a fraction of the total population, as it primarily includes individuals who have interacted with USCIS for certain benefits.
Federal officials noted that some noncitizens may have been registered to vote without their knowledge through Washington's Motor Voter program, which integrates voter registration with the state's Department of Licensing. The notice from the DOJ suggests that some individuals received ballots by mail and assumed they were legally registered, which is not the case.
Washington state has been formally notified of the findings, and officials are requesting that ballots cast by the identified individuals be set aside pending confirmation of their citizenship status. The DOJ warned that voting as a noncitizen can have severe consequences for those seeking U.S. citizenship, potentially leading to charges for making false statements on naturalization applications or fraudulent voter registration.
In a related development, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that numerous individuals without legal status have also admitted to unlawfully registering or voting in U.S. elections. At least 18 of the dozens arrested nationwide had voted in a federal election. These individuals represented a range of countries including Mexico, Somalia, Honduras, and Venezuela, among others, and faced various other charges.