Justice Department asks Washington state to set aside ballots from 400 alleged noncitizens

Key Points:

• Federal prosecutors in Washington state have requested the Secretary of State to segregate ballots from over 400 registered voters suspected of being non-U.S. citizens, potentially expanding scrutiny of voter rolls ahead of the midterm elections.
• Prosecutors believe many on the list are green-card holders who are ineligible to vote in federal elections and estimate that more than 1,500 illegal ballots have been cast by noncitizens in Washington.
• The Washington Secretary of State expressed concerns about the accuracy of the Justice Department's list, noting outdated voting records and warning that the timing of the request could undermine voter confidence ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
• The Justice Department's efforts mirror similar actions in California, where it has sued to block counting ballots from alleged noncitizen voters, though no lawsuit has yet been filed in Washington.
• Washington officials emphasize the importance of protecting eligible voters' rights and caution against harassment or unfounded suspicion, highlighting that noncitizen voting is rare and that focus should be on ensuring ballot access for all eligible voters.