DOJ Subpoenas Los Angeles Election Staff Over Ballot Dispute
Federal investigators have summoned two county employees to court as the legal battle over noncitizen voter lists intensifies.
By Bianca Shevchenko ·
The Department of Justice escalated its legal conflict with California election officials by issuing grand jury subpoenas to two employees of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's office. The federal move targets staff involved in processing ballots for voters flagged by federal agencies as likely noncitizens.
The dispute began when federal officials sent letters to local election workers. Those letters warned that officials who kept ballots from flagged individuals could become aiders and abettors to a federal crime. The DOJ argued that refusing to cooperate risked significant federal scrutiny and legal exposure for the state.
Tensions rose after U.S. District Judge David O. Carter reviewed the DOJ's demand to set aside thousands of ballots. On Tuesday, the judge rejected the request, stating there was no legal basis for the federal intervention. Carter noted the list of 20,000 names was not sufficiently reliable and warned the effort could disenfranchise eligible voters. He ordered that threats against state and county employees cease immediately.
The subpoenas were served last week, a day after the judge issued his ruling. The New York Times first reported that the two employees received instructions to appear in court on November 4. The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's office confirmed the documents were received on Thursday.
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Dean Logan responded to the developments in a statement on Thursday. He praised Judge Carter's admonishment of the Justice Department's tactics. Logan described the federal approach as confrontational and adversarial. He stated the county would take necessary steps to ensure employee safety while continuing to serve voters.
The Justice Department is currently appealing Judge Carter's ruling to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. A spokesperson for the department did not respond to requests for comment regarding the new subpoenas. It remains unclear if the subpoenaed staff are the direct targets of a criminal investigation.
The next scheduled step in the legal process is the court appearance for the two employees on November 4. The DOJ continues to push for the removal of flagged ballots while the appeal hangs in the 9th Circuit.
Source: KNKX Public Radio
