03 · Elections · Los Angeles

Justice Department Subpoenas Los Angeles Election Staff

Federal prosecutors ordered county election workers to appear in court the day after the midterms, as a judge appointed a special master to examine the government's list of about 20,000 alleged noncitizen voters.

In one minute

The Justice Department has issued subpoenas to employees of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder ordering them to appear in court the day after the midterm elections, according to copies obtained by the AP and CBS News. CBS News reported that they are grand jury subpoenas. Receiving a subpoena does not necessarily mean a person is the target of a criminal investigation, the AP reported. They seek documents on the county's methods for screening for unlawful voting by noncitizens and its correspondence with federal officials about the issue. The subpoenas follow a ruling by U.S. District Judge David O. Carter rejecting the administration's demand that California set aside mail ballots from about 20,000 people the government says are likely noncitizens. Carter has since appointed a special master to develop the facts behind the government's list. Los Angeles County Registrar Dean Logan said, "Threats and intimidation have no place in elections."

The subpoenas

The subpoenas, sent to Registrar-Recorder employees between October 21 and October 24, ask for records on the office's "methods for screening for unlawful voting by aliens" and its communications with federal officials about allegations of noncitizens on the voter rolls, the AP and CBS News reported. Receiving a subpoena does not necessarily mean a person is the target of a criminal investigation, the AP reported.

The ruling

Carter rejected the Justice Department's request that California separate out the ballots, CBS News and the AP reported.

Carter then appointed Daniel B. Garrie as special master to develop "the factual record" for the court, the AP reported. ABC News reported that Carter had said in court he intended to appoint a special master to examine how the list was compiled.

The warnings to officials

At a hearing, Carter warned the government against threatening election workers. "This court believes it would be wise that any threats to state and county elected employees cease immediately," he said, ABC News reported; CBS News reported that his ruling said "these threats must stop." Logan pointed to that admonishment. "At every step, the U.S. Department of Justice has taken a confrontational, adversarial approach," he said, according to CBS News. "Election officials are acting in accordance with state and federal law. Threats and intimidation have no place in elections." The AP also reported his remark.

Sources

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