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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedOctober 27, 2026Miami-Dade County

Trump Administration Asks Washington State to Set Aside Ballots from 405 Voters Alleged to Be Noncitizens

Photo: WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed

The U.S. Justice Department asked Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs to set aside ballots cast by more than 400 individuals the federal government alleges registered to vote without U.S. citizenship. State officials are currently reviewing the request, which comes as voting is already underway ahead of the midterm elections.

ElectionsVoting RightsJustice DepartmentFederal State Relations
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Why It Matters

The federal demand directly targets mail ballots in competitive congressional districts, affecting election administration and voter certification timelines in a state with over 5 million registered voters.

Key Facts

  • The Trump administration asked Washington state to set aside ballots received from more than 400 individuals it alleges registered to vote without U.S. citizenship.
  • The Justice Department stated it identified 1,500 votes cast by these individuals in prior elections.
  • Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is reviewing the request and criticized its timing one week before the General Election.
  • Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd stated that the 405 identified voters represent a fraction of total potential cases due to state investigation limitations.
  • The Justice Department has demanded state records including addresses, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, and partial Social Security numbers.
  • The request marks the third time this month the Justice Department brought a direct state challenge during ongoing voting, following actions in California and Alaska.
  • Federal appellate judges in California declined to rule on an expedited timeline requested by the DOJ and sent a related lawsuit back to a lower court.
  • Investigations into prior administration allegations of noncitizen voters in Nevada and Maricopa County revealed significantly fewer or zero instances than claimed.

Who's Mentioned

PersonMaria Gluesenkamp Perez“U.S. Representative running for reelection in Washington's 3rd Congressional Dis”PersonNeil Floyd“Acting U.S. attorney in Seattle.”locationPhoenix“City included in Maricopa County.”OrganizationJustice Department“Federal agency that sent the letter to Washington state.”PersonSteve Hobbs“Washington Secretary of State reviewing the DOJ request.”OrganizationTrump administration“Federal administration making requests to set aside voter ballots.”locationCalifornia“State that received a similar demand from the Justice Department.”locationAlaska“State where a lawsuit was filed seeking to delay vote certification.”locationBoise“City in Idaho.”locationMaricopa County“County in Arizona that investigated potential noncitizen voters.”locationSeattle“City where the U.S. attorney spoke at a news conference.”locationNevada“State with prior allegations of noncitizen voters.”PersonMonica Flores“Los Angeles County Assistant Registrar-Recorder.”locationIdaho“State where reporter Boone is located.”PersonDonald Trump“President whose administration pursued noncitizen voter identification.”locationWashington“State asked to set aside ballots.”