California election officials report mental health impact from DOJ threats

California election officials have reported significant mental health challenges linked to legal threats from the Trump administration, according to court documents filed last week, ABC News reported.

The Justice Department recently issued grand jury subpoenas to local election officials in California as part of a criminal investigation into the state's voter rolls. Officials described the federal actions as causing anxiety and distraction that affected their ability to perform their duties.

Matt Morales, Santa Clara County's top election official, said the federal government's conduct has had a "severe chilling effect" on him and his staff. Similarly, Contra Costa County's registrar Kristin Connelly expressed frustration and stress over the need to respond to these threats.

San Benito County Registrar Francisco Diaz recounted feeling fear and anxiety after receiving a letter from Homeland Security threatening prosecution. He even made emergency plans for his office's operation in case he was arrested, a scenario that increased his anxiety.

These statements were submitted to encourage a federal judge to stop the Justice Department's threats. On Friday, a federal judge temporarily halted the DOJ's actions, marking the first extensive public response from local election leaders since the warnings were issued.