News Summary
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Orange County’s Registrar of Voters Bob Page for not providing unredacted records about non-citizen voter removal. This failure to comply is seen as a violation of the Help America Vote Act, impacting voter confidence in the electoral process. Page’s office redacted vital information despite a request from the DOJ, raising concerns about voter eligibility and registration integrity. Legal experts have voiced confusion over the necessity of these records, highlighting the ongoing national debate on immigration policies related to voting.
Santa Ana, California – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a lawsuit against Orange County Registrar of Voters Bob Page, claiming he failed to provide comprehensive, unredacted records related to the removal of non-citizens from voter registration lists. The DOJ contends that this lack of transparency has eroded voter confidence and violates the Help America Vote Act, legislation enacted in 2002 aimed at improving the electoral process across the United States.
The lawsuit cites that Page did not maintain an accurate voter list as required by federal law. It originated from a complaint made by a relative of a non-citizen who reportedly received an unsolicited mail ballot. To investigate this claim, the attorney general asked for documents from January 2020 detailing voter registrations that were canceled due to questions regarding citizenship.
In response, Page provided documentation but redacted essential personal details, including social security numbers and state ID numbers. The DOJ argues that these redactions obstruct a thorough evaluation of compliance with the election laws. According to the lawsuit, Page’s reliance on state laws for the redactions is problematic and allegedly superseded by federal requirements.
The registrar was directed to submit the unredacted records by June 20 but has indicated he would not comply with this request. The lawsuit has raised significant concern about voter registration processes and the potential implications of non-compliance with established laws regarding voter eligibility.
Legal experts in constitutional law have expressed confusion about the DOJ’s need for the redacted information, considering they are attempting to solve registration issues that involve non-citizens. The DOJ’s stance highlights the importance of enforcing proper record-keeping and transparency related to voter registration.
Leading the case are notable officials within the DOJ, including Harmeet Dhillon and Michael Gates. The Justice Department emphasizes the necessity for adherence to regulations that prevent non-citizens from voting, categorizing such actions as a federal crime. Furthermore, the failure to provide the requested unredacted records is also viewed as a violation of federal law.
Registrar Bob Page has previously stated that his office updates around 60,000 voter registrations each month and indicated that no prosecutions for non-citizen voting have occurred under his tenure. Page took the role of Registrar of Voters in 2022 after significant experience in San Bernardino County. His administration has been scrutinized as part of wider efforts by the federal government to reinforce stringent immigration policies and regulations regarding voter eligibility.
In California, the law stipulates that individuals registering to vote must certify their U.S. citizenship under penalty of perjury. Ignoring these federal guidelines potentially jeopardizes the integrity of voter registration efforts across the state. While the DOJ’s current demands for transparency might be viewed as unusual, experts note they align more closely with standard practices rather than previous controversial actions taken by various departments in the past.
This legal development in Orange County represents not only a localized issue but also reflects the ongoing national debate surrounding voter registration, eligibility, and immigration policies. As the lawsuit unfolds, it is poised to draw attention to the critical importance of maintaining accurate voter rolls while safeguarding the electoral process from potential fraud.
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HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- OC Register: Justice Department Sues Orange County Registrar Over Non-Citizen Voting Records
- Bloomberg Law: Orange County Sued Over Non-Citizen Voter Registration Records
- Patch: Justice Department Sues OC Registrar Over Non-Citizen Voting Records
- Google Search: Voter Registration Eligibility
- LA Times: Over 1.8 Million Vote-by-Mail Ballots Ship Out Across Orange County
