Federal operation targeting alleged noncitizen voter registration underway in Commerce area

Key Points:

• Federal law enforcement is conducting "Operation Protect the Vote" across all four U.S. attorney districts in California, resulting in over two dozen arrests related to allegations of noncitizens registering and voting in elections.
• The operation is part of a broader dispute between the Trump administration and California concerning election administration and accusations of noncitizen voting ahead of the midterm elections.
• The Justice Department warned California officials that processing ballots from suspected noncitizen voters could lead to criminal investigations and prosecution, emphasizing the seriousness of knowingly facilitating noncitizen voting.
• California election officials, including Los Angeles County Registrar Dean Logan, have stated their focus remains on conducting fair and secure elections and suggested the issue should be resolved through the courts.
• The Justice Department has charged about 90 people nationwide this year with election misconduct, including 50 alleged noncitizen voters, though research indicates noncitizen voting is extremely rare.