Justice Department Orders California Counties to Set Aside Certain Mail Ballots
The U.S. Justice Department has ordered California election officials in several counties to identify and set aside mail-in ballots cast by individuals suspected of being non-citizens, warning that knowingly counting such ballots could lead to criminal liability. This action is…
Cleveland Akron, OH, October 25, 2026 —
The U.S. Justice Department has ordered election officials in several California counties to identify and set aside mail-in ballots cast by people suspected of being non-citizens. The department warned that knowingly counting such ballots could lead to criminal liability.
The action is part of the administration’s intensified scrutiny of voter rolls, according to the available description. It concerns ballots associated with individuals suspected of lacking citizenship; the summary does not say how officials are expected to identify those ballots or what criteria determine suspicion.
The names of the counties, the number of ballots involved and the timing of the order were not provided. The information also does not specify the legal basis cited by the Justice Department, whether the department identified particular individuals or ballots, or whether county officials have responded.
The warning described in the summary is conditional: it concerns knowingly counting ballots cast by people suspected of being non-citizens. No specific criminal charges, penalties or enforcement steps were reported. The summary does not establish that any ballots have been counted, set aside or challenged, nor does it provide inspection or investigation findings.
Because the details are limited, the scope and implementation of the order remain unclear from the information provided. The action is described as part of broader scrutiny of voter rolls, but no additional measures or related actions are specified. Further information about the counties, the basis for identifying ballots and any official responses was not included.
Story summarized from the original created by Karina Tsui, Maria Aguilar Prieto, Isa Mudannayake on www.news5cleveland.com, see more information here.
