Local Politics · Los Angeles County
Federal Subpoenas Hit California Election Officials Despite Judge's Order
At least four California election workers received federal criminal grand jury subpoenas over the past week, with one delivered to the Orange County Registrar of Voters on Thursday seeking unredacted voter records for 60 people. The subpoenas followed a Wednesday order from U.S. District Judge David O. Carter warning federal prosecutors to stop threatening state and local election employees with criminal charges. In Los Angeles County, three Registrar-Recorder employees were subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury on Nov. 4, the day after the midterm election. LA County Registrar-Recorder Dean Logan called the approach "confrontational" while DOJ spokesperson Kiersten Pels said receiving a subpoena does not mean one is a target. The Justice Department has appealed Carter's ruling to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.