DOJ threatens prosecution of state election officials over noncitizen voting


The Justice Department sent letters warning election officials in all 50 states and the District of Columbia that they could face criminal prosecution over noncitizen voting, a spokesperson for the Justice Department confirmed Tuesday.

The letters, signed by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who heads up the department’s Civil Rights Division, give states five days to explain how they will comply with federal voter eligibility laws and how they will maintain “clean voter lists.”

“The Department sent these letters to all 50 states and the District of Columbia, asking for voluntary compliance in a timely manner with their obligations under federal law to ensure only citizens vote in federal elections,” a Justice Department spokesperson said in a statement.

Noncitizen voting in federal elections is extremely rare, but Trump and his administration have falsely portrayed it as a widespread issue.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar and Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson are among those who said they received the letters from the Justice Department.

The letters say state election officers “could be criminally prosecuted for aiding and abetting” noncitizen voting. They further specify that any election officer who knowingly retains noncitizens on a statewide voting registration list or who facilitates noncitizens’ receiving and casting ballots could be subject to criminal liability.

“An intentional act that is aimed at diluting the votes of citizens could also constitute a violation” of federal law, the letters said.

Henderson wrote on social media that the threats constitute “truly bizarre behavior.”

“Got another love letter this morning from the DOJ sprinkled throughout with threats of criminal prosecution,” she wrote. “I’m sure I’m not the only chief election officer of a state who is being targeted for following state and federal laws by resisting DOJ’s demands for private voter data that have thus far been ruled illegal by at least a dozen courts.”

The letters are the latest move in the Justice Department’s campaign to assert more federal control over state elections.

While some states have complied with the administration’s demands that they hand over voter roll data, the Justice Department has sued 30 states and Washington, D.C., for resisting. So far, 11 different federal courts have dismissed the Justice Department’s efforts to seize voter rolls.



Source link

  • Related Posts

    Oil prices jump more than 3% after US strikes on Iran, while shares in Asia are mixed

    BANGKOK (AP) — Asian shares were mixed on Wednesday and oil prices surged more than 3% after the U.S. launched strikes on Iran following attacks on three ships in the…

    La otra hazaña de Messi: logró que Scaloni festejara un gol por primera vez en el Mundial

    IE 11 no es compatible. Para una experiencia óptima, visite nuestro sitio en otro navegador. SIGUIENTE Suiza hace historia y Colombia se marcha con la frente en alto 07:50 Radar…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    Stay Hydrated and Cool This Summer With These 9 Refreshing Products

    Stay Hydrated and Cool This Summer With These 9 Refreshing Products

    Sources: Grizzlies land Post after Warriors pass on offer sheet

    Sources: Grizzlies land Post after Warriors pass on offer sheet

    Cyberpunk Edgerunners’ Lucy finds herself in yet another crossover, this time in an upcoming Apex Legends event

    Cyberpunk Edgerunners’ Lucy finds herself in yet another crossover, this time in an upcoming Apex Legends event

    Oil prices jump more than 3% after US strikes on Iran, while shares in Asia are mixed

    Oil prices jump more than 3% after US strikes on Iran, while shares in Asia are mixed

    Details from Charlie Kirk murder suspect’s pretrial hearing in Utah

    Details from Charlie Kirk murder suspect’s pretrial hearing in Utah

    La otra hazaña de Messi: logró que Scaloni festejara un gol por primera vez en el Mundial

    La otra hazaña de Messi: logró que Scaloni festejara un gol por primera vez en el Mundial