Politics · United States · 2 hrs ago
Justice Department subpoenas California election officials in voting probe
The Justice Department has subpoenaed local election officials across California as part of a criminal investigation into claims of illegal voting.
The investigation concerns the administration’s claim that as many as 20,000 noncitizens are on California’s voter rolls.
The number of subpoenas and the officials who received them are not known, and receiving one does not mean someone is a target.
The subpoenas came after courts rejected requests to separate or block ballots cast by people the administration identified as noncitizens.
Noncitizens can appear on voter rolls, but newly naturalized citizens are sometimes mistakenly flagged because there is no comprehensive list of U.S. citizens.
The investigation’s findings and any further legal steps are not yet known.
The Justice Department has issued grand jury subpoenas to election officials in California as it pursues claims of noncitizen voting.
The subpoenas seek records and communications, including material about methods for screening for unlawful voting by noncitizens.
The investigation follows federal claims that as many as 20,000 noncitizens are on California’s voter rolls.
A federal judge rejected the administration’s request to set aside ballots linked to people on its list, and an appeals court also denied a request to block ballot counting.
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Dean Logan said local officials are acting in accordance with state and federal law.
- Who
- The Justice Department issued subpoenas to California election officials, including employees of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s office.
- What
- The subpoenas seek records and communications as part of a probe into alleged noncitizen voting.
- When
- The subpoenas were sent last week; CBS News reported they were sent between Oct. 21 and Oct. 24, 2026.
- Where
- California, including Los Angeles County.
- Why
- Federal officials are investigating claims that noncitizens are on voter rolls and may have voted.
The Justice Department
California election officials
Purpose of the probe
The Justice Department
The department is investigating alleged noncitizen voting and says unlawful voting can lead to criminal exposure.
California election officials
Los Angeles County officials say they are acting in accordance with state and federal law.
Handling ballots
The Justice Department
The department sought to require officials to set aside ballots linked to people it identified as likely noncitizens.
California election officials
Officials opposed the demand; a federal judge rejected it, finding no legal basis and questioning the reliability of the list.
CBS News reported that grand jury subpoenas were sent to California officials during this period.
An appeals court denied the administration’s request to block California from counting mail ballots linked to alleged noncitizens.
Judge David O. Carter rejected the Justice Department’s request to require officials to set aside the ballots.
Los Angeles County’s registrar-recorder confirmed to NPR that the office had received subpoenas directed at employees.
- Alleged noncitizens
- As many as 20,000 people on California voter rolls, according to federal claims
- Subpoena location
- Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s office
- Subpoena timing
- Oct. 21–24, 2026, according to CBS News
- Counties sent warning letters
- 57 of California’s 58 counties
- Appeal court
- 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
5 sources
Justice Department issues subpoenas to California election workers
Trump Justice Department issues subpoenas in California non-citizen voting probe
DOJ subpoenas local election officials over claims of noncitizen voting in California
California officials face grand jury subpoenas as DOJ expands voting probe
Gavin Newsom slams Trump for 'new low in assault on democracy and rule of law' as criminal investigation into claims of illegal voting in California is launched
What people are saying
At every step, the U.S. Department of Justice has taken a confrontational, adversarial approach. Election officials are acting in accordance with state and federal law.
these threats must stop.
To be clear, the district court judge explained that voting unlawfully results in criminal exposure.
This is a new low in Trump and his administration’s assault on democracy and the rule of law.