US Justice Department sues California to set aside 20,000 ballots
The gist
The US Justice Department sued California and Los Angeles County to set aside ballots of people it believes are noncitizens.
A federal judge hears the case a week before Election Day, with counties disputing the list.
How it unfolded
- Oct 13, 2026The Justice Department sent follow-up letters to California Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Los Angeles County Registrar Dean Logan, saying it believed as many as 20,000 noncitizens might be registered, and gave them 48 hours to provide a plan to set aside those ballots.
- Oct 15, 2026The department filed a lawsuit in federal court in Los Angeles seeking an order requiring the state and county to set aside ballots cast by people on the list.
- Oct 23, 2026Federal prosecutors sent letters to county election offices across California giving them 48 hours to check citizenship; NBC News reported the letters went to 57 of the state's 58 counties. Two uniformed Homeland Security officers delivered a letter with 42 names to the Los Angeles County registrar's office, according to the AP.