Expert Raises Concerns Over Noncitizens on Voter Rolls in California, Washington

An election integrity expert has voiced concerns regarding voter registration in California and Washington, citing findings by the Justice Department that identified thousands of suspected noncitizen registrations. J. Christian Adams, president of the Public Interest Legal Foundation, stated that the states' automatic voter registration systems and a refusal by local officials to utilize federal tools for citizenship verification are contributing factors.

Adams claimed that noncitizens are being added to voter rolls through motor voter programs, even in instances where individuals disclose they are not U.S. citizens to the Department of Motor Vehicles. He specifically mentioned California and Washington as states with automatic voter registration systems that have reportedly registered noncitizens.

Federal officials reported identifying over 20,000 individuals on California's voter rolls who are likely noncitizens, with a significant number residing in Los Angeles County. In Washington, more than 400 suspected cases were found. These revelations come shortly before the November midterm elections.

Both California and Washington require U.S. citizenship to register to vote, though their automatic registration processes differ. In California, DMV customers eligible to vote can be automatically registered. Washington's system links automatic registration to transactions requiring proof of U.S. citizenship, such as obtaining an enhanced driver's license.

Officials in Washington and California have pushed back against the Justice Department's findings. Washington Secretary of State Steve R. Hobbs criticized the DOJ's report, citing what he described as "several glaring deficiencies," including the presence of U.S. citizens and individuals not currently registered on the list. He stated that without individualized proof of ineligibility, it would be inappropriate and unlawful to prevent a registered voter's ballot from being processed.

The California Secretary of State's office also contested the data, asserting that a review of the DOJ's information for Los Angeles County revealed "significant accuracy problems." The office characterized the situation as a "reckless political stunt" that could disenfranchise voters.

Adams further criticized election officials for allegedly not using the Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database to identify noncitizens on voter rolls, calling it the "best database there is for aliens."

However, Hobbs questioned the reliability of the SAVE database, arguing that the absence of a citizenship record does not confirm immigration status. He stated that the database should not be the sole basis for disqualifying a voter.

Adams suggested that lax regulations have led to broader voter roll issues in California, including duplicate registrations and registrations linked to deceased individuals. He contended that partisan politics has influenced election administration in the state and that officials are not utilizing available data to maintain clean voter rolls.

While the Justice Department's disclosure marks a notable public account of suspected noncitizen voter registrations, Adams indicated that the findings might have limited impact on the upcoming midterm elections. He explained that audits are typically conducted in off-election years to allow sufficient time for legal review, as challenges close to an election could be dismissed under the legal principle of laches, which penalizes undue delay in filing a claim.

Adams commended the Justice Department for addressing the issue, noting that "nobody took noncitizen registration seriously until now."