The Department of Justice has charged 28 foreign nationals in California with “various voting and registration crimes, among others,” officials announced on Monday, Oct. 19.
“In particular, they’re charged with some combination of unlawful voting by an alien, a false claim of U.S. citizenship in order to vote or register to vote, and knowingly depriving the residents of California of a fair and impartial election process,” Trent McCotter, DOJ acting deputy attorney general, said.
The 28 people charged are on the list of 20,000 people who the DOJ alleges “are likely aliens” registered to vote in the state — the list was sent to officials in California last week, according to McCotter. The DOJ sued California just days prior to Monday’s announcement,
asking the court to stop California from counting vote-by-mail ballots from likely noncitizens in the upcoming election until it can determine their citizenship status, according to the complaint.
It comes as early voting is underway in California for the midterms.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli said many of these people voted in prior elections. According to Essayli, 11 people are in custody so far, and the DOJ will take the remaining individuals into custody “in the near future.”
Nationwide, the DOJ has charged 113 people with illegal voting and registration offenses, according to Essayli.
Among those facing charges are people living in Long Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, Sacramento and San Jose, according to the Central District of California. Some of those charged as part of “Operation Protect the Vote” — a “coordinated effort” by California’s four U.S. attorneys’ offices — are alleged to have voted in the 2024 general election.
California has more than 23 million registered voters, and more than 154 million Americans cast ballots in the 2024 presidential election.
This is a breaking news story. Check back later for more details
Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at pbarraza@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DOJ charges 28 people in California with voting crimes
