Local Politics · Fresno County
DOJ Threatens Prosecution of Fresno County Election Officials Ahead of Nov. 3 Vote
Fresno County Registrar of Voters James Kus said his office is coordinating with the California Secretary of State after receiving a letter from the Trump Administration demanding evidence that suspected noncitizens were registered to vote, with a 48-hour response deadline. Acting Deputy U.S. Attorney General Trent McCotter signed letters threatening prosecution of election officials who fail to cooperate, including demands that California set aside ballots of 20,000 voters identified as noncitizens. Secretary of State Shirley Weber refused the demand, citing timing and lack of explanation for how the list was compiled, prompting a DOJ lawsuit that Kus said his office is awaiting before acting. Three Fresno County residents among 11 Californians were arrested Oct. 19 in a federal voter-fraud operation that prompted its own lawsuit from voters-rights groups.