Washington State Blocks Federal Probe into Noncitizen Voting
Federal officials report hundreds of noncitizen votes in Washington, but state refuses to cooperate.
2 min read
Federal authorities have identified over 400 cases of noncitizens voting in Washington state, with concerns that the number could be in the thousands. However, state officials have refused to provide data, complicating federal efforts to investigate illegal voting.
Federal Probe Faces Obstacles
Charles Neil Floyd, acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington, revealed that federal agencies are working to uncover noncitizen voters in the state. He stated that the state has not provided the necessary data, making the investigation extremely challenging.
Floyd emphasized that without state cooperation, the federal government has to conduct the investigation manually, one person at a time. He explained that the process involves comparing publicly available voter lists with DHS data to identify noncitizens who may have voted.
Concerns Over Voter Integrity
Floyd noted that the number of noncitizens voting in Washington is likely much higher than the 400 cases identified so far. He warned that without access to the full voter database, it is impossible to determine the full extent of the issue.
He also mentioned that the state is fighting in court to prevent federal access to the complete voter database, which could significantly impact the ability to fully investigate the issue. Floyd suggested that the state may be trying to hide the true scale of noncitizen voting.
Implications for Election Integrity
Floyd highlighted that the issue of noncitizen voting is particularly concerning in close elections, where a few hundred or even a few thousand votes can determine the outcome. He stressed that the current investigation is only uncovering a fraction of the total number of noncitizens who may have voted illegally.
He added that the Trump administration is committed to addressing the issue, but the lack of state cooperation is making the process much more time-consuming and resource-intensive. The federal government is working to ensure that the integrity of the electoral process is maintained, even in the face of resistance from state officials.
Broader Implications
The situation in Washington is part of a larger issue of voter integrity across the country. Federal agencies are increasingly focused on identifying and preventing illegal voting, especially in states where there are concerns about voter fraud. The case in Washington highlights the challenges federal authorities face when state officials are unwilling to cooperate.
Source: PJ Media
