Trump administration opens criminal investigation over alleged noncitizen voting in California

Key Points:

• The Trump administration has launched a criminal investigation in California, subpoenaing election officials over allegations that thousands of noncitizens are registered to vote in the state ahead of the US midterm elections.
• Los Angeles and Orange County election offices have received federal grand jury subpoenas seeking unredacted voter registration information related to these claims, which officials say are being met with intimidation.
• A federal judge rejected the administration's request to segregate and exclude ballots from alleged noncitizens, emphasizing the importance of upholding constitutional election procedures.
• The judge appointed a special master to review the administration's evidence regarding noncitizen voter registrations, while election officials maintain that voting by noncitizens is extremely rare and that they are following the law.
• Earlier in the month, the Department of Justice charged 28 green card holders in California with fraudulent voter registration and illegal voting, intensifying scrutiny on election integrity claims.