California officials face grand jury subpoenas as DOJ expands voting probe
Also reported by ABC News
Summary
The Justice Department issued grand jury subpoenas to California officials as it investigates claims that as many as 20,000 noncitizens may be registered to vote. The subpoenas followed a federal judge’s rejection of the Trump administration’s request to separate ballots linked to those people, while the department said criminal prosecution is an appropriate response to unlawful voting.Key Facts
- The subpoenas were sent between Oct. 21 and Oct. 24, according to sources and documents reviewed by CBS News.
- Three subpoenas went to officials in the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office.
- The subpoenas seek records about county communications with federal officials and methods for screening for unlawful voting by noncitizens.
- U.S. District Judge David Carter rejected the administration’s request to require California election officials to separate mail ballots associated with roughly 20,000 people the government says are not citizens.
- Carter said the requested action would violate constitutional principles that give states authority to administer elections.
- Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan said election officials are following the law and objected to threats and intimidation.
- A Justice Department spokesperson said the department does not comment on leaked subpoenas and said criminal prosecution is an appropriate response to unlawful voting.
