US Justice Department investigates California voter registration checks

The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into California voter systems, seeking records from local election officials about checks for voting by non-citizens. The move comes as President Donald Trump has called polling that predicts Democratic gains in the midterm elections “rigged”, raising concerns among election officials about federal pressure on the process.

At least two employees of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s office told The New York Times they received grand jury subpoenas last week. The requests sought voter-roll information, internal communications and records on screening for unlawful voting by non-citizens; officials were warned of “significant federal scrutiny” if they did not comply. County registrar Dean Logan described the subpoenas as intimidation and said local officials were following state and federal law.