Justice Department urges sanctions for database analysis critical of its noncitizen voting claims
Summary
The Justice Department defended its list of more than 20,000 people it alleges are noncitizens registered to vote in California and asked a federal judge to consider whether an immigrant rights group and its lawyers violated a court order by publishing an analysis of the list. The group says its review found major discrepancies, while the Justice Department argues the analysis was outside the permitted purpose of accessing the data. The department also appealed a separate ruling that barred it from pressing California election offices to remove suspected noncitizens from voter rolls or separate their ballots.Key Facts
- A federal judge allowed the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, or CHIRLA, to access federal data on people the Trump administration alleges are noncitizens registered to vote in California.
- The judge ordered the plaintiffs not to disclose names from the list and to use the data only in arguments about their legal standing.
- CHIRLA’s court filing said more than 40% of the names did not appear in California’s voter file and identified 22 people it said were likely naturalized citizens.
- The Justice Department said CHIRLA’s analysis violated the judge’s order and suggested that the judge consider referring the matter for a possible criminal contempt investigation.
- CHIRLA’s counsel said the group and its experts complied with the court’s orders.
- The Justice Department appealed a ruling that barred it from demanding that election offices remove possible noncitizens from voter rolls, separate their ballots, or threaten legal action.
- California election officials say the list contains errors and that they cannot complete the legally required review to remove voters shortly before the election.
- The administration says it compiled the list using state voter registration data and federal citizenship records.
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