Justice Department Warns California Officials Over Ballots From Suspected Noncitizens
The U.S. Justice Department has warned California officials that they risk criminal investigation and prosecution for processing ballots submitted by suspected noncitizen voters.
Mobile Pensacola, AL, October 16, 2026 —
The U.S. Justice Department has warned California officials that they risk criminal investigation and prosecution for processing ballots submitted by people suspected of being noncitizens, according to the information provided.
The warning concerns the processing of ballots, but the available account does not identify the officials who received it, the specific ballots involved or when the warning was issued. It also does not say whether the department has opened an investigation, filed charges or taken any other action.
The people described as potential noncitizen voters are characterized as suspected noncitizens. No details were provided about how those suspicions were established, whether the ballots were counted, or how many ballots or voters may be involved. The information also does not identify the California jurisdictions or election offices concerned.
The department’s warning, as described, raises the possibility of criminal investigation and prosecution for officials who process such ballots. It does not establish that any official has committed a crime or that prosecution is underway. No statute, legal rationale or response from California officials was included in the available account.
Further details about the warning and its scope were not provided. The available information does not state what steps, if any, California officials have taken in response, or whether the Justice Department has announced additional action.
Story summarized from the original created by ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press on www.wkrg.com, see more information here.
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