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DOJ ballot-verification demands add to LA County election dispute
Federal prosecutors have sent letters to at least 18 California counties seeking records and asking officials to set aside ballots when citizenship cannot be verified, escalating an election dispute that includes Los Angeles County.
LAist, citing the Los Angeles County registrar and a letter obtained by The Associated Press, reported that the Justice Department gave counties 48 hours to provide identifying information connected to ballots that federal officials say may have been sent to people who are not citizens. The letters also request that ballots be segregated if citizenship cannot be confirmed.
What changed: At least 18 counties received new federal letters
Federal request: Records about voters and segregation of ballots where citizenship cannot be verified
County position: Los Angeles County says it cannot withhold or refuse to count ballots solely on unverified allegations
Claims remain disputed
The latest letters follow a federal lawsuit involving Los Angeles County and the California Secretary of State. The Justice Department has alleged that more than 20,000 people who are likely noncitizens are registered to vote in California; that allegation has not been established by a court.
In an October 15 statement, Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan said the county had not been given the evidence, source or methodology underlying the federal assertions. He said election officials must follow established voter-eligibility and ballot-processing laws while protecting eligible voters’ rights.
LAist reported that state and county lawyers have argued in court filings that the request could delay certification and risk disenfranchising eligible voters. A hearing in the underlying case is scheduled for Tuesday.
Original reporting: Read LAist’s report →
Official county statement: Read Los Angeles County’s statement →