The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged 28 green card holders in California with election-related crimes, alleging they illegally registered to vote or cast ballots in U.S. elections. Alongside the charges, the federal government filed an emergency request to stop California from processing ballots returned by individuals on voter rolls whom federal officials identified as "likely noncitizens." The DOJ is asking the state to segregate these ballots and delay counting them until investigations are finished.
These legal actions occur during a period of disagreement between the Trump administration and California officials regarding the state's voting system. Last week, the DOJ filed a lawsuit against California and Los Angeles County after local officials declined to investigate administration allegations concerning noncitizen voting. California officials have stated they requested clarification on the federal government's data but have not received a response.
Legal and election experts interviewed by NPR expressed skepticism regarding the DOJ's likelihood of success, citing previous unsuccessful attempts to alter state voting procedures. Experts noted that when legal permanent residents register to vote, it is often due to a misunderstanding of eligibility rules. Local voting officials reported they are preparing for potential federal attempts to seize ballots during the counting process by maintaining close contact with county attorneys.
In a separate matter, internal court records filed in March 2026 indicate that TikTok employees raised concerns with executives regarding child safety that were not addressed. The documents detail staff warnings about minors encountering sexual content and loopholes that allowed users under 18 to bypass age restrictions and parental oversight. According to the records, TikTok avoided performing age surveys to prevent having to disclose the findings to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), an agency that enforces consumer protection laws.
For California voters and local election workers, the concrete change involves the handling of ballots in the final two weeks before the midterm elections. While 28 people are currently charged, the DOJ's effort to segregate ballots based on federal lists could alter the standard operating procedures for poll workers and county registrars. Election experts noted this sets a precedent for federal law enforcement intervention in state-run elections very close to a deadline, which they suggest could lead to legal challenges over ballot confiscation during the counting process.
What happens next depends on the court's response to the DOJ's emergency request and the ongoing lawsuit against Los Angeles County. With Election Day two weeks away, the timing of a ruling will determine whether California must change its ballot processing for the current cycle. Regarding the TikTok findings, the March 2026 records suggest ongoing scrutiny of the platform’s internal safety protocols, though specific regulatory deadlines or further legal actions were not reported.