The Trump administration asks Washington state election officials to set aside ballots tied to more than 400 people it alleges may not be U.S. citizens. Multiple outlets report the request is made through the U.S. Department of Justice, which says it has identified votes cast by over 400 people in prior elections.
The reports frame the move as part of a broader effort by the administration to challenge how ballots are counted and certified, a process generally handled by states. NBC News emphasizes the attempt to involve the federal government in state ballot counting. PBS NewsHour notes that voting by noncitizens is exceptionally rare, while The Guardian describes the request as part of efforts aimed at states with competitive midterm races that could affect control of Congress.
Several outlets also reference that the administration made a similar demand in California shortly before the Washington request, presenting the step as part of an ongoing pattern rather than an isolated case.
