Federal prosecutors are accusing California of withholding access to voter registration records as part of an ongoing legal dispute over voter roll maintenance. In a post on X Sunday, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said state officials have refused to comply with a federal request for voter registration data. The U.S. Department of Justice says it needs the records to conduct an audit of California’s voter rolls and determine whether the state is complying with federal election laws.
According to the DOJ, the review is intended to verify voter eligibility and examine how California maintains and updates its voter registration lists. Federal officials argue that access to the records is necessary to ensure election integrity and compliance with legal requirements. The dispute stems from a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice against California Secretary of State Shirley Weber. The case is the latest clash between federal and state officials over election administration and oversight.
