DOJ monitoring plans and DHS voter checks raise concerns of election interference

Less than two weeks before the midterm elections, federal efforts to verify who is eligible to vote are drawing court challenges and warnings of interference. A federal judge in California has limited a Department of Homeland Security program, called the Unlawful Voter Initiative, that sends agents to look for noncitizens on voter rolls. Under the ruling, agents in nine states may not conduct stops or field interviews unless they suspect a person is a noncitizen. The judge was troubled that DHS lists contained mistakes, including the names of citizens. The order takes effect Friday so the government can appeal. PBS NewsHour reports that in Nevada, every person on one such list turned out to be a U. S. citizen.

In a separate case, the Justice Department is asking a court to stop California officials, including the secretary of state and Los Angeles County's top election official, from counting 20,000 mail ballots, citing an allegation of 20,000 noncitizens on the rolls. County officials say processing continues, and a hearing is set for next Tuesday. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department is not trying to create chaos. Democratic groups have sued the administration, alleging voter intimidation.

Summarized by PolitiKool from PBS NewsHour’s reporting. Read the full story at PBS NewsHour →