DOJ tells California to review whether noncitizens got mail ballots

The U.S. Department of Justice has ordered California to review a list of individuals it believes may have received mail-in ballots despite not being U.S. citizens. The letter, sent on October 13 by acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter, includes a password-protected thumb drive with names of people the federal government believes are noncitizens. The DOJ gave California 48 hours to determine the citizenship status of each person on the list.

For individuals whose citizenship cannot be independently verified, California is instructed to segregate their mail-in ballots without canceling them. The state must also not provide a ballot to anyone who has not yet received one, until citizenship status is confirmed.

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber confirmed her office received the letter but said the federal government did not provide the list to her office. She called the DOJ's actions 'unlawful' and said they 'serve only to cause chaos and fuel public distrust in our elections.'

Dean Logan, the registrar-recorder/county clerk of Los Angeles County, confirmed receiving the letter and said the records were on a USB drive.

The DOJ is threatening legal action if California does not comply with the review.

This issue arises because California mails ballots to all registered voters, regardless of citizenship status.

Key Points

• The DOJ requested California review a list of names it believes are noncitizens who received mail ballots for the Nov. 3 election.
• The list was provided via a password-protected thumb drive to Los Angeles County officials.
• California has 48 hours to determine citizenship status for each person on the list.
• California must not send a ballot to anyone on the list who has not yet received one, until citizenship status is confirmed.
• California is instructed to segregate ballots for individuals whose citizenship cannot be independently verified, without canceling them.