The U.S. Department of Justice has issued criminal grand jury subpoenas to at least three Los Angeles County election officials, demanding internal documents and evidence related to 20,000 contested ballots suspected of being cast by noncitizens.
On Friday, the matter escalated as the case advanced through the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, with a potential path to the U.S. Supreme Court if the high court agrees to hear the dispute. The subpoenas require Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s Office employees to produce emails, text messages, and any records indicating noncitizen voting. The Justice Department alleges that such voting dilutes the weight of lawful ballots cast by citizens.
Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters Dean Logan stated that the investigation has created an atmosphere of intimidation ahead of Tuesday’s election. He emphasized that ‘threats and intimidation have no place in elections.’
Who has been subpoenaed and what do the orders seek?
At least three workers from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s Office have been issued subpoenas, requiring them to appear in federal court in Santa Ana on Wednesday. The orders demand troves of internal documents, including communications and any evidence collected that suggests a noncitizen voted. The Justice Department has framed the action as part of a broader crackdown on illegal voting, with officials asserting that noncitizen voting undermines election integrity.
Background: The contested ballots and legal disputes
The subpoenas stem from a federal demand to set aside 20,000 ballots in Los Angeles County, which the Justice Department claims may have been cast by noncitizens. Voting rights groups and labor unions have opposed the move, arguing that noncitizen voting is exceedingly rare and that the action amounts to voter suppression. The dispute has triggered multiple federal lawsuits, with voting rights advocates accusing the administration of targeting legitimate voters.
Elections officials and law enforcement experts have noted that instances of noncitizen voting are uncommon, though the Trump administration has repeatedly pursued claims to the contrary. The subpoenas mark a significant escalation in the federal government’s efforts to investigate alleged voting irregularities in California.
Next steps and potential outcomes
The case is currently before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, with the possibility of reaching the U.S. Supreme Court. The subpoenaed officials must comply with the orders, which require the production of extensive internal records. The outcome of the legal battle could set a precedent for how contested ballots are handled in future elections, particularly in cases involving allegations of noncitizen voting.