DOJ Demands Washington Set Aside Ballots From More Than 400 Voters
The Department of Justice, under President Trump's administration, has demanded that Washington state election officials set aside ballots from over 400 voters identified as potential noncitizens, asserting they are illegally registered and have voted. Washington's Secretary of State has disputed…
Anchorage, AK, October 26, 2026 —
The Department of Justice has demanded that Washington state election officials set aside ballots associated with more than 400 voters it identified as potential noncitizens. The department asserts that the individuals were illegally registered and have voted, according to the information provided.
Washington’s secretary of state disputes the federal claims. The office says the DOJ list includes eligible citizens and argues that the demands lack due process, particularly with the midterm elections approaching.
The dispute centers on competing claims about voter eligibility and the treatment of ballots connected to the people on the federal list. The information provided does not specify when the demand was made, how the voters were identified, or what legal process the DOJ cited. It also does not provide the secretary of state’s name or a response from the department beyond its stated assertions.
The precise action requested by the DOJ is described as setting aside ballots, but no details were provided about how election officials would carry that out, whether any ballots have been set aside, or whether a court has considered the matter. The number of ballots involved is also not specified; the figure given refers to more than 400 voters.
With the midterm elections nearing, the secretary of state’s objection raises questions about the timing and process for addressing the federal demand. The available information does not establish the eligibility of the voters at issue or resolve the disagreement between federal officials and Washington state election officials.
Story summarized from the original created by Jim Brunner, The Seattle Times on www.adn.com, see more information here.
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