DOJ warns election workers of prosecution; unions and civil-rights groups challenge the warnings as intimidation
DOJ argues that election officials who knowingly facilitate noncitizen voting face criminal exposure. Unions and civil-rights groups say its warnings seek to intimidate workers following lawful election procedures. An October 30 temporary order restricts the challenged demands and threats.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
An October 16 DOJ letter told Los Angeles County that federal evidence placed officials on notice about suspected noncitizen voters. It urged temporary segregation of ballots and warned of criminal exposure. The plaintiffs' complaint argues that unverified federal suspicions do not make ordinary ballot processing a crime and that the pressure interferes with lawful election administration.
Judge Trina Thompson issued a temporary restraining order on October 30, finding likely violations and restricting the challenged demands and prosecution threats. The order expires November 16 at 5 p.m.; further briefing and a November 13 hearing are scheduled. DOJ objects that the judge acted before hearing its response. The restrictions apply to demands and threats made solely because a ballot belongs to a voter the government alleges is ineligible. These are preliminary proceedings.
Timeline
4 timeline entries on this page. Dates: October 16, 2026 to October 31, 2026
October 2026
DOJ warns Los Angeles County about criminal exposure
Source release
DOJ urges temporary segregation of questioned ballots and warns that knowingly facilitating noncitizen voting can create criminal exposure.
[01]United States Department of Justice
DOJ argues that federal criminal law can apply to officials who knowingly facilitate noncitizen voting and urges temporary ballot segregation.
DOJ letter to Los Angeles County about ballot processing · United States Department of JusticeTwo-page letter from Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotterUnions and civil-rights groups sue over warnings
Claim
SEIU and other plaintiffs file a complaint alleging intimidation of election workers and interference with lawful state election procedures.
[02]SEIU and other plaintiffs challenge DOJ election-worker warnings
The plaintiffs allege that the warnings intimidate election workers and interfere with lawful state election procedures.
SEIU and other plaintiffs challenge DOJ election-worker warningsNo. 3:26-cv-12800-TLT, paragraphs 1-16 and 76-96Court grants temporary relief through November 16
Judge Trina Thompson issues a temporary restraining order and schedules further briefing and a November 13 hearing. The ruling rests on preliminary findings.
[03]SEIU v. DOJ: temporary restraining order
The court grants temporary relief, sets further briefing and a November 13 hearing, and makes preliminary findings.
SEIU v. DOJ: temporary restraining orderDoc. 26, pp. 4-8; No. 3:26-cv-12800-TLTDOJ objects to order issued before its response
Reaction
DOJ tells CBS News that the judge acted without first hearing from the government and says it is reviewing its options.
[04]DOJ responds to election-worker restraining order
The agency objects that the judge acted before receiving its response and says it is evaluating its options.
DOJ responds to election-worker restraining orderDOJ statement supplied to CBS News
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
United States Department of Justice
DOJ's criminal-prosecution warnings to election workers are a lawful response to suspected noncitizen voting.
Sources (1)
- DOJ letter to Los Angeles County about ballot processing · United States Department of JusticeTwo-page letter from Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
2 responses. Newest first.
Service Employees International UnionUnion statement by President April Verrett, published October 31Directly involved Before this statement
SEIU announces an emergency order protecting election workers.
"We said we would not let the Trump administration bully election workers, and today we won a critical court order blocking those threats."
CondemnedCase context: DOJ warns election workers of prosecution; unions and civil-rights groups challenge the warnings as intimidation
Full statement and sources
SEIU welcomes the order and describes the government's warnings as bullying election workers.
After the statement
Verrett says SEIU and its partners will keep fighting for elections free from intimidation.
SEIU responds to temporary order protecting election workersStatement by SEIU President April VerrettSEIU v. DOJ: temporary restraining orderDoc. 26, pp. 4-8; No. 3:26-cv-12800-TLTWhy this label?
SEIU condemns the government's pressure on election workers.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
United States Department of JusticeDepartment of Justice, in a letter from the acting deputy attorney generalDirectly involvedBefore this statement
The letter rejects Los Angeles County's reliance on state procedures and the federal quiet-period rule.
"The Department has not requested a purge, cancellation of registrations, or any programmatic action. We requested only temporary ballot segregation pending citizenship verification."
Defended or excusedCase context: DOJ warns election workers of prosecution; unions and civil-rights groups challenge the warnings as intimidation
Full statement and sources
DOJ says it requested temporary ballot segregation, rather than cancellation of registrations, and warns about knowingly facilitating unlawful voting.
After the statement
DOJ urges the county to reconsider and argues that administrative difficulty does not excuse violations of federal law.
DOJ letter to Los Angeles County about ballot processing · United States Department of JusticeTwo-page letter from Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotterWhy this label?
The agency justifies the ballot demands and legal warnings at issue.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(5)
Original text
DOJ letter to Los Angeles County about ballot processing
Relevant passage: Two-page letter from Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter
About this source
DOJ argues that federal criminal law can apply to officials who knowingly facilitate noncitizen voting and urges temporary ballot segregation.
- Author
- Trent McCotter
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
DOJ responds to election-worker restraining order
Relevant passage: DOJ statement supplied to CBS News
About this source
The agency objects that the judge acted before receiving its response and says it is evaluating its options.
- Author
- CBS News
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
SEIU responds to temporary order protecting election workers
Relevant passage: Statement by SEIU President April Verrett
About this source
Verrett welcomes the order and says the union will oppose intimidation of election workers.
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
SEIU v. DOJ: temporary restraining order
Relevant passage: Doc. 26, pp. 4-8; No. 3:26-cv-12800-TLT
About this source
The court grants temporary relief, sets further briefing and a November 13 hearing, and makes preliminary findings.
- Author
- Trina L. Thompson
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
SEIU and other plaintiffs challenge DOJ election-worker warnings
Relevant passage: No. 3:26-cv-12800-TLT, paragraphs 1-16 and 76-96
About this source
The plaintiffs allege that the warnings intimidate election workers and interfere with lawful state election procedures.
- Published
- Accessed
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Cite this record
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- The Dispute Index
- Title
- DOJ warns election workers of prosecution; unions and civil-rights groups challenge the warnings as intimidation
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/doj-election-worker-prosecution-warnings-seiu
The Dispute Index. "DOJ warns election workers of prosecution; unions and civil-rights groups challenge the warnings as intimidation". First published: 2026-11-02. Last updated: 2026-11-02. https://disputeindex.com/cases/doj-election-worker-prosecution-warnings-seiu