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DOJ threatens prosecution of state election officials over noncitizen voting
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- The Justice Department sent letters to election officials in all 50 states and D.C., warning they could face criminal prosecution for noncitizen voting and demanding compliance with federal voter eligibility laws within five days.
- The letters, signed by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, emphasize that knowingly allowing noncitizens to vote or remain on voter rolls could lead to criminal liability for election officers.
- Noncitizen voting in federal elections is extremely rare, but the DOJ's action follows false claims by former President Trump and his administration about widespread noncitizen voting.
- Several state officials, including Michigan's Jocelyn Benson and Utah's Deidre Henderson, criticized the letters, describing them as threats and an unusual overreach by the DOJ.
- This initiative is part of the Justice Department's broader effort to increase federal oversight and control over state election processes.
