Politics · United States · 4 hrs ago
US charges six more California residents in voter fraud crackdown
US prosecutors charged six lawful permanent residents in California in a new round of cases announced before the midterm elections.
The complaints say the defendants registered to vote and later denied doing so on citizenship applications; they are not charged specifically with fraudulent voting.
Two defendants are Mexican citizens, and the six cases bring the operation’s total to 34 people charged in California.
Green card holders are not allowed to vote in US elections, but experts say noncitizen voting is extremely rare and can result from confusion.
The cases come amid a wider dispute over the state’s voter rolls: federal prosecutors want California to set aside about 20,000 ballots for citizenship checks, while state officials say the list is unreliable and the request could disenfranchise citizens.
The US Supreme Court rejected the administration’s appeals in that dispute on Monday, after lower courts also rejected its efforts.
The six defendants could face up to five years in prison if convicted, and prosecutors say the cases are continuing.
The US Department of Justice has charged six lawful permanent residents in California with allegedly making false statements on naturalization applications after registering to vote.
The complaints allege the defendants unlawfully registered and cast ballots, but they are not charged specifically with fraudulently voting.
The cases bring the number of people charged in the federal operation in California to 34, according to Infobae.
The charges were announced by Los Angeles federal prosecutor Bill Essayli on Monday, on the eve of the midterm elections.
California election leaders have challenged a separate Justice Department effort to set aside ballots, saying its list and methodology are unreliable and compliance could risk disenfranchising citizens.
- Who
- Six lawful permanent residents, including two Mexican citizens identified by Infobae, were charged.
- What
- They are accused of making false statements on naturalization applications after allegedly registering to vote unlawfully.
- When
- The charges were announced on Monday, November 2, 2026.
- Where
- Los Angeles, California.
- Why
- Prosecutors allege the defendants unlawfully registered to vote and later falsely denied doing so on naturalization applications.
US Department of Justice
California election leaders
Ballot review
US Department of Justice
The department says roughly 20,000 ballots may belong to noncitizens who fraudulently registered and should not be counted until citizenship is confirmed.
California election leaders
State election leaders say the prosecutors’ list and methodology are unreliable.
Practical and legal concerns
US Department of Justice
The department is seeking to have election officials set aside the ballots.
California election leaders
State leaders say complying during an election would be logistically impossible and could disenfranchise US citizens.
Krystel Capi Valle allegedly registered to vote and voted by mail in that year’s November election.
Gilberto Ruiz allegedly denied on his naturalization application that he had claimed US citizenship or registered to vote.
Capi Valle allegedly denied on her naturalization application that she had claimed US citizenship or registered to vote.
Bill Essayli announced charges against six people, bringing the operation’s total to 34 cases, according to Infobae.
- New charges
- 6 people
- Operation total
- 34 cases in California, according to Infobae
- Maximum penalty
- 5 years in prison
- Ballots in separate federal lawsuit
- Roughly 20,000
- Named defendants
- Krystel Capi Valle and Gilberto Ruiz
2 sources
What people are saying
Each illegal vote cast and counted cancels out the legitimate vote of a US citizen
will follow the evidence wherever it leads
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Some of this morning's arrests: