DOJ threatens to prosecute WA election officials over alleged noncitizen votes
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs talks election security ahead of the Washington primaries
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs joins Good Day Seattle to discuss the biggest threats to our elections this year.
OLYMPIA, Wash. - The Washington Secretary of State's Office says the U.S. Department of Justice is threatening to prosecute over false claims of election fraud.
A copy of the letter sent to Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs on Tuesday, obtained by FOX 13 Seattle, accuses the state of allowing noncitizens to vote, and threatens criminal prosecution if Washington fails to solve this. U.S. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon invoked the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 in seeking injunctive relief against or criminal prosecution of election officials in Washington.
Dhillon sent similar letters to other states' election officials.
Hobbs and other secretaries of state have been given five days to respond, outlining how they will ensure they are complying with federal laws.
Can noncitizens vote in WA?
Noncitizens are not allowed to vote in Washington State, per the Secretary of State's Office. Voters must be:
- A United States citizen.
- A Washington State resident.
- At least 18 years of age.
- Not disqualified from voting due to court order.
- Not currently incarcerated.
- Not currently serving a sentence of total confinement in prison under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections for a Washington State felony conviction.
There is little evidence of electoral fraud in Washington, much less allowing noncitizens to vote.
Washington responds to DOJ threats
FOX 13 Seattle reached out to the Secretary of State's Office, who issued the following statement:
"Our office received another needless letter from the Department of Justice on July 7 (attached). We once again find ourselves reviewing a letter from the DOJ to determine whether their request is legal and will share more information when we have it.
"The DOJ is accelerating down a slippery slope of threatening personal legal action against election administrators. Attempts to revive disproven claims of rigged elections will not deter election professionals from doing their job of overseeing accessible, accurate, auditable elections.
"Thanks for your patience."
MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
World Cup ends, Seattle traffic begins: 'Revive I-5' work resumes this week
Evacuations downgraded for wildfire near Lake Chelan
U.S. run at World Cup ends with 4-1 loss to Belgium
Here's where Washington wildfires are currently burning
Seattle-area Lululemon shoplifting suspects charged with organized retail theft
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
The Source: Information in this story comes from the Washington Secretary of State's Office, as well as previous coverage from FOX 13 Seattle.