DOJ Presses Washington to Sequester Ballots in Pre-Midterm Dispute

Key points

• Federal prosecutors in Washington state sent a letter demanding election officials sequester ballots from over 400 individuals identified as noncitizens.
• Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd stated that these individuals cast approximately 1,500 votes in prior cycles, with some voting as early as 1984.
• Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs criticized the timing as an attempt to cast 'unfounded suspicion' on the upcoming election results.
• Hobbs noted that at least one individual on the list has been registered since 1994, a period during which 113.5 million ballots were cast in the state.
• Federal officials claim many affected individuals were registered without their knowledge through the state's Motor Voter program.

Background

This dispute follows similar legal challenges in California and Alaska, where the DOJ sought to sequester ballots it claimed belonged to noncitizens. Federal appeals courts previously declined to intervene in the California case, describing the DOJ's claimed emergency as 'self-constructed.' The current Washington demand mirrors these prior actions, occurring just eight days before the November 3 midterm elections.

How outlets are covering it

ABC News emphasizes the skepticism of state officials, highlighting Secretary of State Hobbs' argument that the timing is designed to undermine public confidence. The outlet notes that available evidence suggests noncitizen voting is exceedingly rare. In contrast, Fox News focuses on the federal prosecution's findings, detailing that many individuals on the list were green card holders registered via the Motor Voter program. Fox News also reports that the DOJ has arrested dozens of suspects nationwide for voter fraud, though it notes Floyd did not confirm if any of the 400 individuals voted in the current cycle.

Why it matters

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between federal and state authorities regarding election integrity and the administration of voter registration systems. It raises questions about the legal boundaries of federal intervention in state-run elections and the potential impact of pre-election legal challenges on public trust in the voting process.

What to watch

Washington state officials are reviewing the DOJ's request to ensure compliance with state and federal laws. The DOJ has given the state 48 hours to verify citizenship status or face potential emergency legal action. The outcome will likely depend on whether state officials accept the federal list or challenge the request in court.