Justice Department Directs California Officials to Flag Suspected Noncitizens on Voter Rolls
The Justice Department has instructed California election officials to identify suspected noncitizens on voter rolls and set aside their mail-in ballots, warning that knowingly counting ballots cast by noncitizens could result in criminal liability.
Buffalo, NY, October 25, 2026 —
The Justice Department has instructed California election officials to identify people suspected of being noncitizens on voter rolls and set aside their mail-in ballots. The department also warned that knowingly counting ballots cast by noncitizens could result in criminal liability.
The instruction, as described in the available information, concerns both voter-roll review and the handling of mail-in ballots. It refers to people suspected of being noncitizens; the summary does not specify how officials are to identify those individuals or what process should be used to assess a person’s status.
Details about the directive were not provided. The summary does not identify when it was issued, which California officials or offices received it, or whether the state has taken any action in response. It also does not state how many voters or ballots may be affected, whether any ballots have been set aside, or whether any investigation or enforcement action has begun.
The department’s warning is conditional: it says knowingly counting ballots cast by noncitizens could lead to criminal liability. The available information does not describe the legal basis or circumstances for potential liability, name any individuals accused of wrongdoing, or report that charges have been filed.
As a result, the scope and implementation of the instruction remain unclear based on the information provided. No response from California election officials or further explanation from the Justice Department was included.
Story summarized from the original created by Karina Tsui, Maria Aguilar Prieto, Isa Mudannayake on www.wkbw.com, see more information here.
