Justice Department subpoenas California officials in escalation of its scrutiny of local elections – WRAL

Justice Department subpoenas California officials in escalation of its scrutiny of local elections  WRAL

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department has issued subpoenas to California officials in an escalation of its scrutiny of local election administration. The Associated Press obtained copies of three subpoenas sent Oct. 21 and Oct. 24 to employees of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder, ordering them to appear in court on Nov. 4, the day after the election. The subpoenas request any documents and communications related to letters sent in July and October by federal officials to state election officials outlining allegations of noncitizens on the state’s voter rolls. They also seek any information about efforts to prevent noncitizen votes from being counted. All four U.S. attorneys in California were issuing subpoenas, according to a person familiar with the matter who insisted on anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation.

The subpoenas represent the latest salvo in a fight between the Trump administration and California over the eligibility of voters in the heavily Democratic state, amplifying pressure on local election officials to comply with exhaustive government demands and setting the stage for legal challenges. They also come amid broader federal scrutiny of local elections, with the Trump administration issuing a raft of subpoenas in Alaska in a spoiler candidate controversy. Dean Logan, the Los Angeles County registrar, said, “threats and intimidation have no place in elections.” A letter accompanying