California Attorney General Rob Bonta has criticized the U.S. Department of Justice’s recent efforts to address suspected noncitizen voting in the state, describing the move as an example of politicizing and weaponizing the law. The DOJ, acting under the Trump administration, requested that California election officials verify within 48 hours a list of approximately 20,000 ballots belonging to individuals suspected of voting illegally despite not holding U.S. citizenship.

Noncitizen voting is considered extremely rare, but the Justice Department has intensified prosecutions of alleged illegal voting by noncitizens in the lead-up to the midterm elections. California officials have expressed concerns that the federal directive could inadvertently disenfranchise legitimate voters. Los Angeles officials have noted that a significant portion of the individuals on the DOJ’s list are U.S.-born citizens, raising questions about the accuracy and basis of the allegations.

California Governor Gavin Newsom denounced the DOJ’s action on social media, accusing the department of submitting inaccurate voter lists that included people who had never voted or who were registered in the wrong counties. Congressman Pete Aguilar also condemned the initiative, calling it an example of voter intimidation that has no place in democratic processes.

The Justice Department says the request is part of a broader effort to safeguard election integrity. “We are asking each county election official to commit to working with us by providing the necessary information for DHS to quickly verify citizenship status. With their help, we can ensure the most secure election in California history,” the DOJ stated.

Bonta has questioned the evidence presented to support the DOJ’s claims. He emphasized that the department provided only a list of names without any accompanying proof of ineligibility, and invited federal prosecutors to share further details if available.

In parallel, the Justice Department recently charged 28 foreign nationals, described as legal permanent residents rather than citizens, with fraudulently registering to vote. Bill Essayli, first assistant U.S. attorney, said these arrests demonstrate California’s mailing of ballots to noncitizens, which he characterized as a violation of federal law. He stressed the need to protect the voting rights of American citizens.

Amid an ongoing legal dispute over the DOJ’s request and the proximity of the midterm elections, some California officials have refrained from taking immediate action. A court of appeals is scheduled to hear arguments on the matter in the coming week. The case highlights ongoing national debates around election security and voter fraud allegations, particularly involving undocumented immigrants.