The US Justice Department has charged 28 green card holders in California with alleged election offences, escalating the Trump administration’s dispute with the state over its voting system two weeks before the midterm elections.
The individuals are accused of registering to vote illegally or casting ballots in US elections. The allegations have not been proven in court.
The department has also asked a court to stop California from processing ballots returned by people on the voter rolls whom federal officials classify as “likely noncitizens”. It wants the ballots to be separated and their counting delayed while investigations are carried out.
California has sought clarification about how the federal government reached its conclusions but has not received an answer, according to the material released by the department. Last week, the Justice Department sued the state and Los Angeles County after local officials declined to investigate allegations made by the administration about non-citizen voting.
Justice Department seeks control over disputed ballots
Election law experts have questioned whether the Justice Department will succeed in changing California’s voting procedures so close to polling day, particularly with ballots already distributed.
Research indicates that, in many cases, legal permanent residents register to vote because they misunderstand the rules. Experts have raised concerns that federal law enforcement could use the allegations to seize ballots during the count, while local election officials are preparing for possible legal challenges by keeping county attorneys available.
The action marks a significant intensification of the administration’s confrontation with California as the midterm elections approach. It comes as the state’s voting processes face renewed scrutiny from federal officials over the eligibility of people on the electoral roll.
