California accused of blocking federal voter roll audit as DOJ escalates probe of election fraud claims
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is escalating its dispute with California, accusing state officials of blocking federal access to voter rolls for an audit, while California officials argue the request violates privacy laws and federal authority. The conflict centers on voter registration records, with California’s Secretary of State Shirley Weber rejecting DOJ demands for full, unredacted data, and a federal judge dismissing the DOJ’s lawsuit over excessive personal information requests.
The Justice Department is escalating its legal battle with California over access to voter rolls, accusing state officials of obstructing a federal audit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli criticized California for refusing to provide full voter registration records, questioning why officials resist transparency. The dispute stems from a 2023 letter by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who demanded California’s statewide voter list for inspection, citing concerns about election integrity. California Secretary of State Shirley Weber’s office rejected the request, arguing it violates federal law and privacy protections. A spokesperson for Governor Gavin Newsom’s office stated that federal courts have repeatedly ruled against the DOJ’s demands, calling them illegal. Weber’s office proposed allowing DOJ to inspect a redacted database in Sacramento, but Dhillon’s office rejected the offer, insisting on an electronic copy of the full voter list, including sensitive details like Social Security numbers and home addresses. The DOJ’s concerns include California’s voter roll maintenance practices, such as delays in removing deceased voters or those convicted of felonies. Essayli also highlighted lax identity verification rules for first-time voters, including acceptance of gym memberships or credit cards, and criticized California’s ballot harvesting policies, which allow third parties to collect and submit ballots with minimal oversight. California’s Attorney General’s office countered that the DOJ’s lawsuit was dismissed in January by a federal judge, who ruled the request for 23 million Californians’ personal data was unconstitutional and overstepped federal authority. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is currently reviewing the case after the DOJ appealed the dismissal. The dispute reflects broader tensions between federal officials pushing for election oversight and state governments defending voter privacy and existing legal frameworks. No specific allegations of fraud in California elections have been publicly identified as the basis for the audit request.
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