The Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted non-citizens in Minnesota on allegations of participating in voter fraud. Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter discussed the charges on ‘Saturday in America,’ revealing that federal prosecutors have charged 50 individuals within the past month for voting-related crimes. Additionally, the DOJ is appealing a ruling from a Florida federal judge that deemed a federal law barring non-citizen voting as unconstitutional.
The DOJ also plans emergency legal action against California election officials unless they address the issue of suspected noncitizens voting in the upcoming November midterm elections. The DOJ has set a deadline of Thursday, urging California Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Los Angeles County Registrar Dean Logan to examine potentially ineligible voters within 48 hours. Officials have been instructed to separate ballots from individuals whose citizenship status is in question, with a threat of emergency legal relief if these demands are not fulfilled by noon Eastern on Oct. 15.
A DOJ spokesperson indicated that thousands of potentially ineligible foreign nationals have been found on voter rolls across California, not limited to Los Angeles County. The spokesperson stressed the legality, stating that only American citizens can vote in federal elections, reinforcing that voting by noncitizens is a federal crime.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta responded during a news conference, accusing the Trump administration of spreading intimidation and false voter fraud allegations. Bonta stated that there is no significant voter fraud problem and vowed to work with state officials to explore their legal options.
Amidst the accusations, Los Angeles County’s Dean Logan reported receiving a password-protected USB drive claimed to contain voter records but has refrained from accessing it due to cybersecurity concerns. The contents and the scope of information on the device remain undisclosed.
This dispute arises as California voters begin casting ballots for the November 3 election. While federal law prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections, the DOJ has not yet provided evidence that the identified individuals have cast illegal votes.