What is the Justice Department demanding from California election officials?

The Justice Department is demanding that California election officials verify the U.S.

What concerns have California officials and experts raised?

California officials and experts have raised concerns about the accuracy of federal data, the timing of the demand close to an election, and the potential for disenfranchising eligible voters.

Justice Department Demands California Verify Voters' Citizenship or Withhold Ballots

The U.S. Department of Justice has pressed California election officials to prove the citizenship of thousands of voters flagged as potential noncitizens or set aside their ballots ahead of the midterm election.

The U.S.

2026-10-14 · Updated 2026-10-14

The U.S. Department of Justice has intensified its pressure on California election officials, demanding that thousands of voters identified as potential noncitizens have their citizenship verified or their ballots withheld. Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter sent letters to state officials, including Secretary of State Shirley Weber and L.A. County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan, requesting a response within 48 hours.

McCotter's letters stated that the Justice Department provided L.A. County with a list of individuals believed to be noncitizens who received mail-in ballots for the Nov. 3 midterm election. Officials were asked to review the list and segregate ballots from individuals whose citizenship cannot be independently confirmed. Voters on the list who had not yet received a ballot should not be sent one until their citizenship is verified, and ballots already returned should not be counted until verification.

California officials criticized the demand, citing concerns about inaccurate federal data that has led to the purging of U.S. citizens from voter rolls in other states. Secretary of State Shirley Weber stated that the Justice Department's actions create chaos and distrust in elections, and that California already has robust laws to ensure only citizens vote. L.A. County officials have not accessed the provided federal data, deeming the thumb drive an insecure medium that conflicts with data privacy protocols.

Election experts have called the demand questionable, particularly given the timing and the history of inaccuracies in similar federal lists. David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation & Research, noted that past federal claims about noncitizen voters have been significantly reduced or found to be entirely inaccurate after scrutiny. Rick Hasen, director of the Safeguarding Democracy Project at UCLA School of Law, suggested the Justice Department's actions might be legally questionable and could face challenges in court, especially under the National Voter Registration Act's provisions against systematic purges close to an election.

FAQ

What is the Justice Department demanding from California election officials?: The Justice Department is demanding that California election officials verify the U.S.
What concerns have California officials and experts raised?: California officials and experts have raised concerns about the accuracy of federal data, the timing of the demand close to an election, and the potential for disenfranchising eligible voters.