The Department of Justice sent letters warning election officials across the country that the District of Columbia that they may face criminal prosecution over noncitizen voting.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon wrote in the letters, “Any election officer, including the chief election officer of the state, who knowingly retains noncitizens on the state’s [voter list] or facilitates noncitizens in receiving and casting ballots could be subject to criminal liability.”
“We encourage you to contact us to discuss what steps your state should take to maintain clean voter lists as required by law,” she added.
The letters further stated that election officials “could be criminally prosecuted for aiding and abetting” noncitizen participation in elections. “An intentional act that is aimed at diluting the votes of citizens could also constitute a violation” of federal law, the letters read.
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, one of the recipients of the letters, said in a statement, “It is insulting to insinuate that the good people at our county recorders’ offices across the state are not doing their jobs correctly. These individuals, everyday Arizonans, who spend their time making sure that our elections are accurate and run smoothly. It is no exaggeration to say they are not only the backbone of Arizona’s election system, but also of democracy.”
“Arizona’s election officials take their oath to uphold the law seriously,” Fontes added. “Arizona election officials have always worked to ensure that only eligible citizens are registered to vote, and we will continue following Arizona law—not directions that come from political rhetoric or intimidation.”
Lawmakers have previously sought to investigate Michigan, among other states, after noncitizens were discovered on its voter rolls.
