DOJ Warns States of Prosecution for Noncitizen Voting

• •DOJ warns state officials of potential criminal prosecution for noncitizen voting.
• •All 50 states and D.C. received letters demanding compliance within five days.
• •Election officials report noncitizen voting is extremely rare and not a major concern.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued letters to election officials in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., warning that they could face criminal prosecution if noncitizen votes are counted. The letters demand a response within five days detailing how states will prevent illegal voting. The DOJ's Civil Rights Division, led by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, emphasizes that knowingly allowing noncitizens to vote or remain on voter rolls could lead to criminal charges. Despite the warnings, election officials report that noncitizen voting is exceedingly rare, with few cases documented. This action follows previous DOJ lawsuits aimed at obtaining state voter data. The letters have sparked discussions about federal oversight of state elections and the implications for election administrators.