Justice Department Warns California Officials Over Ballots From Suspected Noncitizens

Clarksburg Weston, WV, October 16, 2026 —

The U.S. Justice Department has warned California officials that processing ballots from people suspected of being noncitizens could expose the officials to criminal investigation and prosecution, according to the information provided.

The warning concerns ballots associated with people described as suspected noncitizens. The information does not establish that any individual involved was confirmed to be a noncitizen, that officials processed such ballots, or that an investigation or prosecution has begun. It also does not identify the California officials who received the warning or specify which agency or office delivered it.

Details about the warning are limited. The date it was issued, the number of ballots or people involved, and the circumstances prompting the Justice Department’s action were not provided. The information also does not include the legal basis cited by the department or the wording of its communication.

No response from California officials is included, and it is not clear whether any ballots were ultimately processed or what steps officials may take. The information does not describe any specific alleged conduct beyond the potential processing of ballots associated with suspected noncitizens.

The warning, as described, is a statement about possible criminal investigation and prosecution; it does not by itself establish that a crime occurred or that charges have been filed. Further details about the department’s reasoning, the officials’ response and the status of any ballots were not provided.

Story summarized from the original created by ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press on www.wboy.com, see more information here.

Media gallery