NewsTimes of San DiegoNovember 2, 2026San Diego County
San Diego congressional representatives back local election officials in resisting DOJ challenge to voter rolls
Photo: Times of San Diego
Four San Diego-area members of Congress supported the county Registrar of Voters in declining a federal demand to set aside the ballots of 1,709 voters alleged to be non-citizens. The U.S. Department of Justice requested that the ballots remain uncounted and that voters' personal information be handed over, prompting pushback from local officials and federal court scrutiny.
Read the full story at Times of San DiegoWhy It Matters
The dispute centers on whether federal authorities can compel local election officials to segregate ballots and surrender confidential voter data, directly affecting the voting rights of 1,709 individuals in San Diego and thousands statewide.
Key Facts
- Four San Diego-area members of Congress backed the county Registrar of Voters' refusal to set aside the ballots of 1,709 voters flagged as suspected non-citizens.
- San Diego representatives sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche stating the DOJ request violates federal and state voting laws.
- San Diego U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon signed a letter requesting the ballots be left uncounted and demanding personal information including Social Security numbers and IDs.
- San Diego County called the DOJ's request a voter purge and threatened potential legal action for unlawful intimidation.
- The DOJ sent 57 similar letters to every California county except Los Angeles County.
- Federal prosecutors asked a judge in Los Angeles federal court to set aside 20,000 ballots across the state.
- U.S. District Judge David Carter warned federal prosecutors to cease threats against elected employees.
- A 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel declined to consider the administration's emergency appeal until Judge Carter issues a ruling.
Who's Mentioned
PersonSara Jacobs“San Diego Democrat and U.S. Representative”PersonTodd Blanche“U.S. Attorney General”PersonMark Bennett“9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge”PersonDavid Carter“U.S. District Judge”PersonAdam Gordon“San Diego U.S. Attorney”PersonJuan Vargas“San Diego Democrat and U.S. Representative”locationSan Diego County“Local government entity involved in the election dispute”locationLos Angeles County“County that received a similar DOJ letter earlier”OrganizationU.S. Department of Justice“Federal agency challenging voter rolls”locationCalifornia“State where the Department of Justice challenged voter rolls”PersonScott Peters“San Diego Democrat and U.S. Representative”PersonMike Levin“U.S. Representative for North County”