DOJ subpoenas Los Angeles election staff

The Department of Justice issued grand jury subpoenas to employees at the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's office.

The subpoenas require the staff to appear in court on November 4. The registrar's office confirmed the documents were served last week. This action follows a review by U.S. District Judge David O. Carter, who ruled that the federal government lacked a legal basis to stop processing ballots for thousands of voters. The judge cited a list of 20,000 names that federal officials labeled as likely noncitizens.

Judge Carter issued the ruling the day before the subpoenas were confirmed. He stated the court was not convinced the federal list was reliable. He also expressed concern that the process would disenfranchise eligible voters and cause election chaos. The judge warned Justice Department officials that threats toward state and county elected employees should cease immediately. He repeated this directive in an order issued Wednesday evening.

The Justice Department is appealing the ruling to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. In recent weeks, the department sent letters to local election officials. Those letters warned that refusing to cooperate could result in federal scrutiny and legal exposure. The letters stated that tabulating ballots from individuals flagged as noncitizens could make officials aiders and abettors to a federal crime. A Justice Department spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment regarding the new subpoenas.

It is not yet clear if the subpoenaed staff are the direct targets of a criminal investigation. Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Dean Logan responded to the judge's comments on Thursday. He called the admonishment well placed and appreciated. Logan described the department's approach as confrontational and adversarial. He stated that election officials are acting in accordance with state and federal law.

Logan said the office will take necessary steps to ensure employee safety. He added that the staff will remain focused on serving voters in Los Angeles County. The office confirmed the subpoenas were directed at specific employees rather than the office as a whole entity.