Key facts
- The Department of Justice sent letters to all 50 states and D.C. threatening criminal charges for election officials.
- The charges are related to the alleged retention of noncitizens on voter lists or facilitation of their voting.
- The administration stated the goal is to ensure compliance with federal law and maintain clean voter lists.
- State election officials have criticized the letters, calling them politically motivated and an attempt at intimidation.
- The federal government has previously attempted to gain access to state voter rolls, facing legal setbacks.
The US Department of Justice has escalated its efforts to influence state election administration by sending letters to officials in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, threatening potential criminal charges. The letters, signed by Harmeet K Dhillon, head of the civil rights division, warn that election officers could face prosecution if they knowingly retain noncitizens on voter lists or facilitate their casting of ballots. The department requested states respond within five days detailing their compliance measures and how the DOJ can assist.
This move represents an attempt by the Trump administration to exert greater federal control over elections, which are primarily managed at the state and local levels. The administration has frequently alleged, without evidence, that noncitizens are voting in large numbers and swaying election outcomes. States routinely update voter rolls to remove ineligible individuals.
State election officials have reacted with criticism. Deidre Henderson, Republican lieutenant governor of Utah, described the letter as a "love letter" "sprinkled throughout with threats of criminal prosecution," and noted that DOJ's demands for private voter data have been ruled illegal by numerous courts. Adrian Fontes, Democratic secretary of state in Arizona, called the insinuation that officials aren't properly maintaining voter lists "insulting," asserting that Arizona election officials uphold their oath to the law and will not be swayed by "political rhetoric or intimidation."