Justice Department charges more than 2 dozen in California sweep targeting alleged noncitizen voters
The charges follow a review of more than 20,000 flagged registrations and a lawsuit over whether ballots from suspected noncitizens should be counted.
- On Monday, October 19, 2026, federal authorities charged 28 lawful permanent residents in California with illegal voting and fraudulent voter registration as part of Operation Protect the Vote, with 11 individuals arrested.
- Federal tensions escalated after the Justice Department sued California for refusing to review a password-protected list of 20,000 suspected noncitizen registrants, demanding state officials segregate ballots before tabulation.
- Prosecutors allege defendants knowingly lied on naturalization paperwork to register and voted in recent elections. Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter stated, "Every illegal vote cancels out the vote of a lawful American citizen."
- California Attorney General Rob Bonta dismissed the charges as "a drop in the bucket," arguing the state's 23 million registered voters and lack of evidence undermine federal claims of widespread fraud.
- The DOJ continues its national effort, having charged 113 individuals across 20 states in recent weeks, as local registrars face mounting pressure before the November 3 election.
220 Articles
220 Articles
Justice Dept. charges 28 in California with voting-related crimes
WASHINGTON — Justice Department officials said on Monday that they had charged more than two dozen residents in California with violating federal voting laws, part of the Trump administration’s escalating effort to assert more control over the midterm elections.
Fresno County residents among 28 charged in California noncitizen voting case
Federal prosecutors have charged 28 people across California with allegedly registering to vote or voting despite not being U.S. citizens, including three Fresno County residents, as part of the Justice Department's "Operation Protect the Vote."
Two Indians among 28 Green Card holders accused of election fraud in the US, says DOJ: Here's what we know
Two Indians are among 28 Green Card holders charged with election-related offences in California, the US DOJ said. 11 foreign nations were arrested on Monday, but it remains unclear whether the Indians were among them. Most defendants are also accused of voting illegally.
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