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Justice Department asks Washington to set aside ballots of 400-plus suspected noncitizens

The Justice Department says those individuals cast 1,500 prior votes, and Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is reviewing the request.

Updated Oct 26, 2026 · 22:23 UTC2 reports

The short version

  • The Justice Department asked Washington state to set aside ballots from more than 400 people it suspects registered to vote without U.S. citizenship.[PBS NewsHour · Associated Press]
  • The department's claim of 1,500 votes cast by those individuals in prior elections is its own allegation and is not independently verified in the reporting.[PBS NewsHour · Associated Press]
  • Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd said the ballots should be set aside until the individuals are confirmed as legal voters.[PBS NewsHour · Associated Press]
  • Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is reviewing the demand after his office received about 60 federal subpoenas since last month; the department expects to send more suspect names before Election Day.[PBS NewsHour · Associated Press]

Key facts

  • The Justice Department asked Washington state to set aside ballots cast by more than 400 people it suspects registered without U.S. citizenship.[PBS NewsHour · Associated Press]
  • In a letter to the Washington Secretary of State's Office, the Justice Department said it identified 1,500 votes cast by those individuals in prior elections.[PBS NewsHour · Associated Press]
  • Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd said at a news conference that the state should set aside the ballots until the individuals are confirmed as legal voters.[PBS NewsHour · Associated Press]
  • Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said his office received about 60 Justice Department subpoenas since last month seeking information about voters.[PBS NewsHour · Associated Press]
  • The Justice Department told Washington it expects to send an additional list of suspected noncitizens before Election Day and noted some may have since naturalized.[PBS NewsHour · Associated Press]

What remains uncertain

  • Whether the individuals are noncitizens is unresolved; the Justice Department acknowledges some may have since naturalized.[PBS NewsHour · Associated Press]
  • The state's response to the request is still under review, and the reporting does not describe a decision on whether it will comply.[PBS NewsHour · Associated Press]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.