DOJ demands more California counties segregate ballots, threatening to prosecute election officials

By Zachary Roth

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The seal of the U.S. Department of Justice on April 27, 2026 in Washington, D.C. The Department of Justice charged 31 year old Cole Thomas Anderson with attempted assassination of the president of the United States after he attempted to enter the White House Correspondents Dinner with two firearms Saturday evening. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images)

The Trump administration sent letters to at least 18 California counties Friday, demanding that they segregate ballots from alleged noncitizens, and threatening election officials with potential criminal charges if they fail to comply, Democracy Docket has learned.

The news was first reported by the Associated Press, citing the Los Angeles (L.A.) County Registrar’s office.

“THIS IS NOT A DRILL,” Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) warned in response to the news, caling the administration “afraid and desperate.”

The letters — the latest escalation in a sweeping and dangerous Department of Justice (DOJ) assault on California’s election system — also asked the counties to send the administration sensitive personal information about the alleged noncitizens, to allow the federal government to determine their eligibility to vote.The requested information included social security numbers and ID information.

The letters gave counties 48 hours to set aside and verify ballots from the alleged noncitizens.

“The County of San Diego received the request and is evaluating next steps,” the San Diego Registrar said in a statement to Democracy Docket. “As established in state elections code, the California Secretary of State is responsible for determining eligibility for voter registration.”
 
“There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in San Diego County or in the State of California,” the statement continued. “San Diego County voters can continue to cast their ballots with confidence and without fear. Our priority remains ensuring a secure, transparent, and accessible election for every eligible voter.” 

“Any election official who knowingly processes the ballot of a noncitizen is opening themselves to legal jeopardy,” said Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor for Los Angeles, according to the AP report.

Last week, DOJ sent similar letters to L.A. County and the state of California, as well as threatening state and county election officials with potential prosecutions. L.A. County was given the same 48-hour deadline to comply. 

Two days later, DOJ sued L.A. County and the state. A hearing in that lawsuit is scheduled for Tuesday.

Attorney General Todd Blanche said Thursday that lawsuits against other states, similar to the one against California, could be in the works.

“This is NOT A DRILL: Donald Trump and Todd Blanche are trying to interfere in California elections,” Padilla said in a statement responding to the news.

“Trump’s DOJ has not provided any evidence for their claims of massive voter fraud,” Padilla continued. “They’ve admitted that the data they point to is inaccurate and unreliable. No matter how many lawsuits they file or how many election officials they threaten, they do not have the authority to interfere.”

“The Trump administration is afraid and desperate. Their attempts to take over our elections will fail.”

“Election officials: We have your back,” Padilla added.

This story has been updated.