LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Orange County Registrar of Voters, Robert Page, accusing him of unlawfully refusing to provide records related to the removal of non-citizens from voter registration lists.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for Central California, centers on Page’s failure to comply with federal election laws, specifically the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).
The DOJ’s Allegations
The DOJ claims that Page violated federal law by not maintaining and disclosing voter registration records related to the removal of non-citizens from the state’s voter rolls.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon emphasized the gravity of the issue, stating, “Voting by non-citizens is a federal crime, and states and counties that refuse to disclose all requested voter information are in violation of well-established federal election laws.”
The DOJ’s complaint stresses that the removal of non-citizens from voter rolls is crucial for maintaining the integrity of elections and ensuring accurate voter lists in California. Dhillon further asserted, “The Department of Justice will hold jurisdictions that refuse to comply with federal voting laws accountable.”
The Initial Complaint and DOJ’s Request
The lawsuit follows a June 2 complaint filed by the family member of a non-citizen in Orange County. The complaint alleged that the non-citizen had received a mail-in ballot that they did not request, which was allegedly sent by Page’s office.
In response to the complaint, Maureen Riordan, Acting Chief of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section, asked Page to provide records from January 1, 2020, to the present, showing cancellations of voter registrations for non-citizens.
Riordan requested the complete records, including voter applications, voting histories, and relevant correspondences for each cancelled voter registration.
Redacted Records and DOJ’s Response
On June 16, Page responded to the DOJ’s request by providing records; however, these documents were heavily redacted.
State driver’s license numbers, social security numbers, voter ID numbers, language preferences, and even signature images were removed, making it impossible for the DOJ to fully evaluate compliance with federal election laws.
Page claimed that California state law required these redactions, but the DOJ asserted that federal law preempts state law in this case. Federal law mandates that states maintain and provide complete records concerning voter list accuracy for at least two years.
On June 17, the DOJ informed Page that his redacted records were insufficient for compliance verification and requested the unredacted versions.
Despite these demands, Assistant Orange County Attorney James Steinmann confirmed on June 19 that Page would not provide the requested unredacted records, leading the DOJ to file the lawsuit.
The DOJ’s Legal Action
The DOJ’s lawsuit accuses Page of violating one count each of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).
The DOJ is now seeking an order from the court requiring Page to provide the unredacted records as initially requested by the Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and other DOJ officials.
Orange County’s Response
As of now, Orange County officials have declined to comment on the matter, citing pending litigation. However, the case raises significant questions about the state’s handling of voter registration records and compliance with federal election laws.
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What Happens Next?
The outcome of the lawsuit will be crucial in determining whether Orange County, under Robert Page’s leadership, complies with federal requirements for maintaining accurate voter lists.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about voter integrity and the need for transparency in the maintenance of voter registration records.
What Do You Think?
Do you believe local authorities should be required to disclose unredacted voter registration records, especially in cases involving non-citizen removals?
How should governments balance state privacy laws with federal election regulations? Share your thoughts in the comments below on RidgecrestPact.org.
