DOJ Flags 400+ Washington Voters Over Citizenship Concerns Ahead of Election

The Trump administration has asked Washington state election officials to set aside ballots from more than 400 people it alleges may have registered to vote without U.S. citizenship, escalating a dispute over voter eligibility ahead of the November 3, 2026, midterm elections.

According to the Associated Press, the U.S. Department of Justice told Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs that it had identified 405 people suspected of being noncitizens who collectively cast approximately 1,500 votes in previous elections. Federal officials are asking the state to hold any ballots cast by those individuals in the upcoming election until their eligibility can be verified.

Washington officials reviewing the request

Hobbs' office confirmed that it received the federal request and is reviewing the information to determine how to respond in compliance with state and federal law.

The Secretary of State's Office emphasized that eligible voters' rights and private information must be protected. Hobbs also questioned the timing of the request, which arrived shortly before Election Day, and warned that federal data systems can incorrectly flag eligible U.S. citizens as noncitizens.

Federal officials say their investigation has identified people they believe registered to vote despite not being citizens. The Justice Department has indicated that it may provide Washington with an additional list of suspected cases before Election Day. The allegations have not established that every person identified is ineligible to vote. Some individuals may have become naturalized citizens since initially registering.

What the dispute means for voters

Washington has more than five million registered voters and conducts elections primarily by mail. Federal law prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections, while state and federal rules also protect eligible voters from improper removal or disenfranchisement.

The request comes amid similar disputes in other states, including California, where federal officials have sought to have ballots associated with suspected noncitizens set aside. Those efforts have raised questions about the reliability of voter data and the respective authority of federal and state officials over election administration.

The Washington Secretary of State's Office says it will review the request under applicable law. As of the latest available reports, the state had not announced a final decision on whether to comply.

The situation remains under review as Washington prepares for the November 3 general election.