By Karim Hammam
A California county elections official has publicly challenged the Department of Justice's campaign against alleged voter fraud, saying federal agents delivered a disorganized list of names riddled with errors and threatened criminal prosecution if he did not act on it.
Federal Agents Deliver Inaccurate List
Keaton Denlay, the clerk-recorder and registrar of voters for Butte County, a region of about 209,000 people north of Sacramento, said a Department of Homeland Security agent hand-delivered a DOJ demand letter on Friday. The letter claimed to identify 47 "likely" noncitizens unlawfully registered to vote and gave a 48-hour deadline to segregate their ballots. Denlay said the accompanying two-page list actually contained 46 names, with one duplicate, and only 45 distinct entries. Of those, 32 were not on the county's active voter rolls, seven lacked sufficient identifying information, and only six could potentially be ineligible.
Denlay Refuses to Comply
Denlay declined to act on the list, citing California law that places the burden of proof on the challenger. He described the spreadsheet as poorly formatted, with missing and jumbled data that made verification impossible. The DOJ letter, signed by U.S. Attorney Eric Grant for the Eastern District of California, warned that officials who tabulate ballots for identified noncitizens risk becoming "aiders and abettors to a federal crime." Denlay said he took the threat seriously but found no actionable evidence, adding that he would continue to uphold his oath and support Butte County voters.
Other Counties Report Similar Issues
Other California registrars have reported receiving comparable letters. Francisco Diaz, registrar for San Benito County, said his office received a list of 33 names, some not currently registered, and vowed not to be intimidated. In Orange County, the letter was initially delivered to the clerk-recorder, who handles marriage licenses and property deeds, not elections, according to CalMatters.
Legal Experts Criticize DOJ Tactics
Legal experts have characterized the DOJ's threats as empty intimidation designed to pressure officials, noting that California election leaders are following state law by refusing to comply. State officials have strongly rejected the DOJ's claims, arguing prosecutors are using unreliable data and risking disenfranchisement of U.S. citizens. A federal judge weighing the DOJ's lawsuit has also rebuked the agency's public statements threatening criminal charges against election officials.
