DOJ subpoenas LA election staff days after judge halts ballot review

The Department of Justice issued grand jury subpoenas to Los Angeles County election workers last week, escalating its legal fight with California officials over the handling of noncitizen ballots. The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's office confirmed the service of the documents on Thursday, marking a sharp turn in the administration's strategy to audit state voter rolls.

According to reports, at least two employees at the registrar's office received the subpoenas with instructions to appear in court on November 4. This move follows recent letters from the DOJ to local officials warning them of potential legal exposure if they refused to set aside ballots for individuals flagged as likely noncitizens. The letters stated that those who tabulate such ballots risk becoming aiders and abettors to a federal crime.

The subpoenas arrived one day after U.S. District Judge David O. Carter rejected the DOJ's request to stop processing ballots for thousands of voters. Carter found no legal basis for the federal demand and expressed doubt about the reliability of the list containing 20,000 names. The judge warned that the effort could disenfranchise eligible voters and create chaos during the election process.

During a hearing on Tuesday, Carter told Justice Department officials that threats against state and county employees should cease immediately. He reiterated this stance in an order issued Wednesday evening, writing that the court believed the threats must stop. The DOJ is currently appealing Carter's ruling to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Dean Logan, the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder, thanked the judge for the comments in a statement on Thursday. Logan described the DOJ's approach as confrontational and adversarial at every step. He emphasized that election officials are acting in accordance with state and federal law while working to protect their employees and serve voters.

Logan stated that the office will take necessary steps to ensure the safety of its staff. The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment regarding the specific subpoenas issued to the Los Angeles employees. It remains unclear whether the targeted staff are the direct subjects of a criminal investigation.