Justice Department Raises Concerns About California Voter Rolls

The Justice Department has issued a warning to California, threatening possible legal action over concerns that noncitizens may have received mail ballots for the state's upcoming midterm elections. The move comes just weeks before voters are set to go to the polls, raising questions about voter eligibility and election integrity.

Federal Letter Sent to California Officials

On Tuesday, October 14, 2026, Trent McCotter, the acting deputy attorney general, sent a letter to California Secretary of State Shirley Weber. In the correspondence, obtained by The Associated Press, the Justice Department claims to have identified individuals believed to be noncitizens who were sent mail ballots in the lead-up to the election.

Details on Alleged Noncitizens Voter Rolls

The Justice Department has provided officials in Los Angeles County with a password-protected thumb drive containing a list of names the federal government believes belong to noncitizens. The letter instructs state officials to review the list and verify if any U.S. citizens are included. For individuals whose citizenship status cannot be confirmed, California is directed to have local election officials segregate those ballots until their eligibility can be determined through voter verification measures.

Potential Legal Action and State Response

The Justice Department's letter gives California officials 48 hours to complete a review of the provided list and segregate any questionable ballots. The communication explicitly warns that if action is not taken, or if concerns remain unresolved, legal action may follow. These steps are meant to ensure election integrity and proper citizenship verification for all mail ballots cast in the midterm elections.

Impact and Statements

As of the time of reporting, neither the California Secretary of State's office nor the Los Angeles County Registrar had provided comment in response to the Justice Department's claims or the possibility of pending legal action. The situation underscores heightened scrutiny around voter eligibility and the processes in place to maintain accurate voter rolls during california elections.

Ongoing Scrutiny of Election Processes

The federal government’s demand highlights the importance of safeguards around voter eligibility, particularly with increased use of mail ballots. With just weeks to go before the midterm elections, questions over noncitizens voter rolls and related oversight remain at the forefront of election integrity discussions.

Source: abcnews.com.