Context:

The Justice Department charged 28 lawful permanent residents in California with fraudulently registering to vote and casting ballots, signaling a broad federal push against alleged noncitizen voting ahead of the midterms. The charges allege false statements on naturalization applications and improper voter registrations, with several defendants having already cast unlawful ballots. The case unfolds amid tensions with California officials over DOJ data and methods, and as the state faces a separate civil action over ballot tabulation. Critics warn the prosecutions could chill citizen participation, while federal officials frame the effort as enforcing election integrity with ongoing investigations. The broader backdrop includes evolving federal estimates of verification risk and ongoing cross-state enforcement actions.

Dive Deeper:

• The DoJ filed criminal charges against 28 noncitizens from across California, accusing them of fraudulently registering to vote and casting ballots, with potential penalties up to five years in prison.

• Prosecutors allege that the defendants lied under oath on voter registration applications, and a DoJ spokesperson said that 21 of the 28 had cast unlawful ballots.

• Arrests were already in progress at the time of the announcement, and multiple defendants reportedly participated in voluntary interviews with investigators.

• Court filings describe cases where individuals were helped by canvassers or poll workers, including one man who cast a blank ballot after being told it would be checked for validity, and another who acknowledged receiving a ballot in 2024.

• California’s automatic voter registration system and the state’s ongoing legal battle with the DoJ over ballot tabulation add complexity to the case, with state officials criticizing the DoJ’s data as vague and unsubstantiated.

• Federal officials characterized a list they sent to California of more than 20,000 people deemed likely noncitizens who received ballots, while DHS data had earlier suggested up to 190,000 may be noncitizens, later revised to 20,000.

• The DoJ notes a broader wave of enforcement, with charges against 112 people across 20 states for alleged registration offenses and illegal voting, though other states have faced challenges validating similar claims.