DOJ subpoenas California election officials over noncitizen voting claims

The U.S. Department of Justice has issued federal grand jury subpoenas to local election officials across California as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into allegations that up to 20,000 noncitizens are on the state’s voter rolls.

A U.S. official confirmed to NBC News that the subpoenas were sent, though the number and recipients remain unclear. The official emphasized that receiving a subpoena does not necessarily mean a person is a target, but that they may have relevant information for the investigation.

The subpoenas come after a federal judge denied the Trump administration’s request to segregate 20,000 mail ballots from alleged noncitizens in California, casting doubt on the administration’s process for identifying such individuals.

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Dean Logan praised the court’s decision, stating that election officials are following state and federal law and that previous court rulings have affirmed their actions.

In addition to California, the Justice Department has sent similar letters to officials in Washington state, requesting a review of 400 registrants it believes to be noncitizens and asking the state to sequester any ballots those individuals cast.

The Trump administration has faced legal setbacks this week, with an appeals court rejecting its attempt to block California from counting mail ballots from alleged noncitizens and a federal judge rejecting its request to segregate those ballots.