Justice Department Warns California Officials of Possible Prosecution Over Ballot Processing

Greenville New Bern Washington, NC, October 16, 2026 —

The U.S. Justice Department has warned California officials that they could face criminal prosecution for processing ballots submitted by people suspected of being noncitizens, according to the information provided about the warning.

The summary of the development does not identify which California officials received the warning, when it was issued or what specific ballot-processing activity prompted it. It also does not provide the legal provisions cited by the department or describe any evidence related to the ballots in question.

The wording refers to people suspected of being noncitizens; it does not establish that the individuals were confirmed to be noncitizens or that any ballots were actually processed. The available information also does not say whether the department has opened an investigation, taken enforcement action or made a formal finding of wrongdoing.

No response from California officials is included in the summary. The department’s precise reasoning and the scope of the warning are not provided, so further details about its application or any next steps remain unclear.

Story summarized from the original created by ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press on www.wnct.com, see more information here.

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