The Justice Department has initiated a criminal investigation in California regarding allegations that up to 20,000 noncitizens are improperly registered to vote. Federal grand jury subpoenas have been issued to local election officials statewide, although specifics about the recipients remain unclear. This development comes in the wake of a federal judge’s recent ruling that questioned the reliability of the Trump administration’s methods for identifying alleged noncitizens.
On Thursday, the Justice Department confirmed the issuance of these subpoenas, although it declined to comment on the details, referring instead to the general principle that unlawful voting could lead to criminal charges. A U.S. official noted that receiving a subpoena does not automatically imply that an individual is a target; rather, it suggests that they may have information pertinent to the investigation.
The subpoenas follow a federal judge’s decision to deny a request from the Trump administration to segregate mail ballots believed to be from noncitizens, raising further doubts about the administration’s claims. Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Dean Logan responded positively to the ruling, asserting that election officials are complying with both state and federal law and emphasizing the importance of adhering to judicial directives.
In recent weeks, the Justice Department has escalated its efforts, sending letters to 57 of California’s 58 counties urging cooperation with federal inquiries into potential illegal voting practices. The department is also extending its investigations to Washington state, having requested a review of a list of 400 registrants suspected to be noncitizens.
Election experts have criticized the Trump administration’s legal strategies, arguing they lack solid legal grounding and emphasizing the rarity of noncitizen voters appearing on rolls. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these developments will affect the upcoming elections and the broader discourse surrounding voter fraud allegations.
Photo credit: David Paul Morris
