Federal Subpoenas Target Los Angeles Election Workers Over Voter Rolls Dispute
The United States Department of Justice issued grand jury subpoenas to election workers in Los Angeles, escalating a dispute with California officials regarding the Trump administration’s attempts to identify noncitizens on state voter rolls, NPR reported. At least two employees at the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s office were served with instructions to appear in court on Nov. 4, following initial reporting by The New York Times.
The conflict centers on federal demands that local election officials set aside ballots belonging to individuals flagged by federal agencies as likely noncitizens. In recent weeks, the Justice Department warned local authorities in letters that refusing to cooperate could expose them to significant federal scrutiny and legal exposure. “If persons knowingly tabulate ballots cast by individuals identified by federal agencies as noncitizens, they risk becoming aiders and abettors to a federal crime,” the letters stated, as reported by NPR.
Judicial Pushback and Appeals in Federal Court
The issuance of the subpoenas followed a ruling by U.S. District Judge David O. Carter, who rejected a Justice Department request to require California election officials to set aside and stop processing the ballots of thousands of California voters who appear on a list of 20,000 names federal officials say are “likely” noncitizens. Judge Carter concluded there was no legal basis for the demand, questioned the reliability of the federal list, and warned that the effort risked disenfranchising eligible voters and creating election chaos. The Justice Department is appealing that decision to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
NEWS RELEASE: Federal Court Denies DOJ Request to Set Aside Ballots Ahead of November 3 General ElectionRuling affirms election procedures and reinforces protections for eligible votersLink: https://t.co/GjjEmw2NWZ
During court proceedings, Judge Carter warned Justice Department officials, “This court believes it would be wise that any threats to state and county elected employees cease immediately.” In his written order, he reiterated that admonishment. DOJ spokesperson Kiersten Pels defended the administration’s stance in a statement, noting that the department does not comment on alleged grand jury subpoenas while maintaining that unlawful voting carries criminal exposure.
Registrar Response and Ongoing Uncertainty
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Dean Logan welcomed the judge’s intervention during a statement on Thursday. Logan criticized the federal approach as confrontational and adversarial, emphasizing that local election staff operate within state and federal laws. “We will take whatever steps necessary to ensure the safety of our employees and to remain focused on serving the voters of Los Angeles County so they can exercise their voting franchise,” Logan stated to NPR.
Federal officials have stated that the Department of Justice generally does not subpoena targets. It remains unclear whether the Los Angeles County staff members who received the subpoenas are the targets of a criminal investigation at this point.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were the employees instructed to appear in court?
The affected employees at the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s office were instructed to appear in court on Nov. 4, according to reporting cited by NPR.
How many names are on the federal list of flagged voters?
Federal officials flagged a list of 20,000 names that the Justice Department argued were likely noncitizens, a list that U.S. District Judge David O. Carter found unconvincing and lacking a legal basis.
What specific warning did the Department of Justice send to local officials?
The DOJ warned local election workers in letters that they risked becoming aiders and abettors to a federal crime if they knowingly tabulated ballots cast by individuals flagged by federal agencies as noncitizens.
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