DOJ Subpoenas Two Los Angeles Election Workers Amid Noncitizen Ballot Dispute
Grand jury subpoenas arrived at the registrar's office as federal officials appeal a court order rejecting demands to set aside ballots from 20,000 flagged voters.
By Anthony Lawson ·
Federal investigators have formally summoned two Los Angeles County election employees to court, marking a sharp escalation in the Justice Department’s conflict with California officials over voter rolls. The subpoenas, issued by a grand jury, require the staff members to appear before a judge on November 4.
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s office confirmed receipt of the legal documents last week. Prior to this confirmation, The New York Times reported that at least two employees had been served with the subpoenas. A Justice Department spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment regarding the specific action.
The subpoenas follow a series of letters sent by the Department of Justice to local California election officials. Those letters warned that refusing to cooperate could lead to federal scrutiny and legal exposure. The correspondence stated that individuals who knowingly tabulate ballots cast by people identified as noncitizens risk becoming aiders and abettors in a federal crime. It remains unclear if the subpoenaed staff are the primary targets of a criminal investigation.
This legal move came one day after U.S. District Judge David O. Carter rejected the Justice Department’s request to halt processing of ballots for thousands of voters. Carter ruled that the federal government lacked a legal basis for its demands. He also expressed doubt about the reliability of a list containing 20,000 names that federal officials described as likely noncitizens.
In his order, Carter warned that the federal effort could disenfranchise eligible voters and create chaos in the election process. He specifically admonished Justice Department officials during a hearing, stating that threats directed at state and county employees should cease immediately. Carter reiterated this message in an order issued Wednesday evening, noting that these threats must stop. The Justice Department is currently appealing the ruling to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Dean Logan, the Registrar-Recorder for Los Angeles County, praised the judge’s stance in a statement released Thursday. Logan said the court’s admonishment was well placed and appreciated. He characterized the Justice Department’s approach as confrontational and adversarial at every step. Logan stated that his office will take necessary steps to ensure employee safety while continuing to serve voters in the county.
The dispute centers on how federal and state authorities handle ballots cast by individuals flagged on noncitizen lists. While federal officials argue for setting aside these ballots, county officials maintain they are acting in accordance with existing state and federal law. The next scheduled appearance for the subpoenaed employees is set for early next month.
