NRT briefing
Justice Department subpoenas Los Angeles election workers amid noncitizen voter dispute
Based on reporting by NPR.
The Brief
The Justice Department issued grand jury subpoenas to employees of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's office last week, the office confirmed to NPR on Thursday. At least two employees were directed to appear in court on Nov. 4, following earlier DOJ letters warning local officials of significant federal scrutiny and legal exposure if they refused to set aside ballots of people flagged as likely noncitizens.
The subpoenas come a day after U.S. District Judge David O. Carter rejected the DOJ's request to stop California from processing ballots of roughly 20,000 voters on a federal list, finding no legal basis and raising disenfranchisement concerns. The DOJ is appealing to the 9th Circuit.
The judge also admonished federal officials that threats must stop, a comment Registrar Dean Logan welcomed, saying his office acts lawfully. It remains unclear whether subpoenaed staff are targets of a criminal investigation.
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