Justice Department Threatens California With Legal Action Over Noncitizen Ballots

The U.S. Justice Department has threatened California with potential legal action, alleging that noncitizens may have received mail ballots for upcoming midterm elections. A letter sent Tuesday to Secretary of State Shirley Weber from Trent McCotter, the acting deputy attorney general, stated the Justice Department had provided Los Angeles County officials with a password-protected thumb drive containing a list of names the federal government believes are likely noncitizens.

The letter, obtained by The Associated Press, gives the state 48 hours to verify whether any U.S. citizens are on the provided list. For individuals whose citizenship status cannot be independently confirmed, the state is instructed to direct local election officials to segregate their ballots until their eligibility can be determined. The Justice Department warned that failure to comply could result in legal action.

Officials from the California Secretary of State's office and the Los Angeles County Registrar did not immediately respond to requests for comment.