Justice Department Orders California Counties to Flag Noncitizens on Voter Rolls
The Justice Department has ordered California county election officials to identify noncitizens on voter rolls and set aside their mail-in ballots, warning of criminal liability for knowingly counting votes cast by noncitizens amid scrutiny of voter rolls ahead of midterm…
Billings, MT, October 25, 2026 —
The Justice Department has ordered California county election officials to identify noncitizens on voter rolls and set aside their mail-in ballots, while warning that knowingly counting votes cast by noncitizens could carry criminal liability.
The directive comes amid scrutiny of voter rolls ahead of midterm elections. The summary of the order does not identify the counties affected, give a date for the directive, or describe how officials are expected to determine which voters are noncitizens.
It also does not specify how many people or ballots could be affected, whether any county officials have responded, or whether the order sets a deadline for action. The details of any review process, including how voters could address an incorrect identification, were not provided.
The Justice Department’s warning concerns the knowing counting of votes cast by noncitizens. The available information does not describe any individual case, alleged violation, investigation, or prosecution connected to the directive.
Further details about the order and its implementation were not included in the trend summary. In particular, it does not state whether the directive has prompted legal challenges or what steps, if any, county officials have taken. The scope and practical effects of the order therefore remain unclear based on the information available.
Story summarized from the original created by Karina Tsui, Maria Aguilar Prieto, Isa Mudannayake on www.ktvq.com, see more information here.
