Justice Department warns Los Angeles officials on ballots from suspected noncitizens

The U.S. Justice Department has issued a warning to Los Angeles County officials regarding the processing and tabulation of ballots cast by individuals identified as likely noncitizens. According to the Washington Examiner and the Associated Press, the DOJ's letter cautions that knowingly counting such ballots could expose officials to criminal investigation and prosecution.

The letter, sent to the Los Angeles County Counsel's office and copied to California Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Dean Logan, emphasizes that noncitizen voting in federal elections is a federal crime. Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter stated that officials who knowingly facilitate this conduct risk becoming aiders and abettors to a federal crime.

This warning follows a recent DOJ lawsuit against California, alleging the state refused to review a dataset of more than 20,000 suspected noncitizens registered to vote. The dataset was developed through a multiagency investigative process involving immigration records and verification procedures.

The letter and lawsuit come amid ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and California over voter roll management ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. It remains unclear how many individuals might face investigation or charges, but any federal cases in the Los Angeles area would be handled by the local U.S. attorney's office.

California state officials and the Los Angeles County offices named in the letter have not issued immediate responses to the DOJ's warnings and legal actions.