Justice Department warns election officials in all 50 states on records

The short version

• The Justice Department sent letters Thursday to election officials in all 50 states, signed by acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter.[The Washington Sun]
• The letters warn that willfully destroying or altering election records is unlawful and can bring up to a year in prison.[The Washington Sun]
• The letters follow similar DOJ letters last month on 2024 election records, and the administration has demanded California segregate ballots from 20,000 flagged voters. Whether charges will follow, and how states will respond, is not yet known.[The Washington Sun]

Key facts

• The Justice Department sent letters to election officials in all 50 states on Thursday, signed by acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter.[The Washington Sun]
• The letters say it is unlawful to willfully steal, destroy, conceal, mutilate or alter election records, with violations punishable by up to a year in prison.[The Washington Sun]
• The letters warn that officials could face criminal charges if they fail to preserve certain Election Day materials, such as ballots and voter rolls, for two years.[The Washington Sun]
• DOJ officials sent similar letters last month threatening those who fail to preserve records from the 2024 election.[The Washington Sun]
• The Trump administration has demanded California officials segregate ballots from 20,000 voters it has flagged as potential noncitizens and has issued grand jury subpoenas to several local officials.[The Washington Sun]

Sources

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

• DOJ Sends Letters Threatening Election Officials Over Records PreservationThe Washington Sun