Justice Department subpoenas California officials in escalation of its scrutiny of election

Safiyah Riddle and Eric Tucker for the Associated Press report that the "U.S. Justice Department has issued subpoenas to California officials in an escalation of its scrutiny of local election administration." Subpoenas sent to employees of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder, ordered them to appear in court on Nov. 4, the day after the election. The subpoenas request any documents and communications related to letters sent in July and October by U.S officials to state election officials outlining allegations of noncitizens on the state’s voter rolls.

"The subpoenas represent the latest salvo in a fight between the Trump administration and California over the eligibility of voters . . . , amplifying pressure on local election officials to comply with exhaustive government demands and setting the stage for legal challenges. They also come amid broader federal scrutiny of local elections, with the Trump administration issuing a raft of subpoenas in Alaska in a spoiler candidate controversy.

A letter accompanying a subpoena sent to the county registrar’s Custodian of Records says it was issued `in connection with an official criminal investigation being conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations.'”