News Summary
The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted against releasing unredacted voter registration records of non-citizens removed from the rolls. This decision coincides with a DOJ lawsuit claiming violation of the Help America Vote Act. Supervisors Wagner and Nguyen pushed for transparency, but their proposal was defeated. Registrar Bob Page denied wrongdoing, citing privacy laws. The vote raises questions about electoral transparency and the balance between federal and state regulations on voter registration.
Santa Ana, California – The Orange County Board of Supervisors has voted against a proposal to release unredacted voter registration records related to non-citizens who were removed from the voter rolls. This decision comes amidst an ongoing lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) against the county’s Registrar of Voters, Bob Page, for allegedly failing to provide complete records regarding these removals. The vote ended with a 2-3 outcome, rejecting the push for transparency by Supervisors Don Wagner and Janet Nguyen.
The DOJ’s lawsuit, initiated in June, claims that the failure to maintain an accurate voter list by Page violates the Help America Vote Act of 2002. Specifically, the DOJ is seeking unredacted voter registration records for 17 individuals confirmed as non-citizens or who self-reported their status to the Registrar’s office. In response to these allegations, Bob Page has denied wrongdoing and asserted that releasing sensitive personal information without a subpoena or court order would contradict both state and federal laws.
In light of the lawsuit, the Orange County Registrar’s office has redacted personal identifiers such as driver’s license numbers, Social Security numbers, and race from the records. Page indicated that all 17 individuals named in the DOJ lawsuit have already been removed from the voter rolls, which includes a recent figure of 176,000 individuals removed since the November 2024 election. Reasons for these removals include relocation, felony convictions, or death, leaving approximately 1.9 million registered voters in Orange County.
During the Board of Supervisors meeting, Chair Doug Chaffee expressed concerns regarding the breach of confidentiality agreements that registrants have with the Registrar’s office concerning their personal information. This sentiment was echoed by Supervisor Katrina Foley, who suggested that the decision on whether to disclose the information should ultimately rest with the courts rather than the supervisory board.
While Wagner and Nguyen argued for the unredacted information’s release as a means to settle the ongoing DOJ litigation, their proposal faced opposition. Wagner criticized California law for its lack of emphasis on election integrity, reinforcing that the federal government has a right to obtain the requested documentation. On the other hand, the Orange County District Attorney, Todd Spitzer, noted that there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud within the county’s jurisdiction.
Following the incident, it was reported that collaboration attempts between the Registrar’s office and the DOJ regarding the transmission of necessary information while preserving voter privacy were declined by the DOJ. As of now, a District Court Judge has yet to issue a scheduling order regarding the progress of the lawsuit.
Legal representatives involved in the DOJ lawsuit have been known for advocating stricter voter registration measures and scrutinizing non-citizen voting practices. Additionally, the DOJ is reportedly advocating for more stringent voting regulations, including proposals for requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote, bearing notable changes under the Trump administration.
In California, the responsibility for election management falls to local jurisdictions, with the Secretary of State overseeing compliance and overall electoral processes. The ongoing debate over the release of voter registration records highlights the tensions between federal and state oversight in electoral integrity and voter privacy rights.
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Additional Resources
- OC Register: OC Supervisors Split on Elections Chief and DOJ
- Democracy Docket: DOJ Sues Orange County Over Voter Records
- LAist: Trump Justice Department Sues Orange County
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Voter Registration
- KTLA: DOJ Sues Orange County Registrar Over Voter Access
- Google Search: Non-Citizen Voting Records
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
