Local Politics · Monterey County
Monterey County Challenges DOJ Voter Registration Demands
On Friday, Oct. 23, two federal special agents hand-delivered a demand letter to Monterey County Registrar of Voters Gina Martinez claiming 310 "likely aliens" were on the county's voter rolls and requiring ballot segregation and disclosure of confidential voter data within 48 hours under threat of criminal sanctions. A subsequent analysis by the Monterey County Elections Department found that nearly two-thirds of those identified are not currently registered to vote, with 142 active registered voters and 17 first-time voters undergoing standard federal identity validation. County legal counsel sent a formal response Tuesday arguing that complying would violate state and federal law and rely on unidentified third-party commercial data previously blocked by a federal court in Northern California. County leaders said they are reviewing legal options regarding the DOJ's actions.