DepartmentofJustice News & Analysis

U.S. Sues California Over Mail Voter Citizenship Checks

The U.S. federal government has filed a lawsuit against California, aiming to prevent non-U.S. citizens from voting by mail in federal elections. The Department of Justice (DOJ) initiated this legal action, urging the court to stop California from counting mail-in ballots from individuals potentially identified as non-citizens until their citizenship is verified. California Governor Gavin Newsom, responding to this development, criticized the lawsuit as a political maneuver. The DOJ's suit, lodged in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, follows a two-day notice given by Acting U.S. Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter to California's Secretary of State, Shirley Weber. The DOJ has raised concerns about the citizenship status of certain voters receiving ballots for the upcoming federal election scheduled for November 3. Notably, a list of names was shared with Los Angeles County officials for further verification. This legal battle highlights ongoing federal versus state tensions over election administration. The outcome may significantly impact election processes in California, potentially setting a precedent for how citizenship verification is handled for mail-in voters.