DOJ warns California election officials over suspect noncitizen ballots
What's new: The warning came a day after the administration sued California to stop counting disputed mail ballots before Nov. 3.
The Justice Department warned California election officials that processing and counting ballots cast by people federal agencies have identified as likely noncitizens could expose them to criminal investigation and prosecution. A letter from acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter was sent Friday to Los Angeles County counsel and copied to California Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Los Angeles County Registrar Dean Logan. The move deepens a clash with California less than three weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm election. On Thursday, the Trump administration sued the state to block the counting of mail ballots tied to alleged noncitizens until their immigration status is verified.