Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division Warns State Election Officials They Could Be Prosecuted

The Trump administration has threatened election administrators across the United States with criminal prosecution if they knowingly leave noncitizens on their voter rolls or allow them to receive or cast ballots. In a letter sent to all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the Justice Department warns state and local election officials could face fines and imprisonment. The letter concludes, “We encourage you to contact us to discuss what steps your state should take to maintain clean voter lists as required by law.” The letter was sent on Tuesday by Harmeet Dhillon, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. That same day, she announced plans to send election monitors to 15 jurisdictions in six states during upcoming primary elections. Harmeet Dhillon: “So, this is an important goal that increases voter confidence, and it’s also important to make sure that our voting is accurate, so that every citizen who votes has their vote counted equally, without being canceled out by somebody who shouldn’t be voting.” Meanwhile, FEMA has announced it will withhold Homeland Security funding from states and cities until they provide proof of compliance with the Trump administration’s election requirements. In response, Washington Congressmember Pramila Jayapal wrote, “The Trump Administration is using fear and funding to control who gets to vote and who counts it. Elections belong to the people, not whoever is afraid of losing one.” www.democracynow.org