Hobbs says declining to process ballots without individualized proof would be irresponsible and illegal
Steve HobbsWashington secretary of state, letter to federal prosecutors
Responding to the request to set aside ballots from people on the federal list, Hobbs writes that without individualized proof of ineligibility it would be irresponsible and illegal for election officials to decline to process a registered voter's ballot.
“Without individualized proof of ineligibility, it would be both irresponsible and illegal for election officials to decline to process a registered voter’s ballot.”
Official statement
Where this statement fits
DOJ seeks to segregate Washington ballots; Hobbs's office disputes its evidence
Federal prosecutors ask Washington to set aside ballots from more than 400 alleged noncitizens pending verification. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs challenges the data, timing and legal basis for the request.
Source and context
Official statement
About this source
Letter from Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, dated October 28, 2026, to Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Pete Serrano, answering their October 26 request to set aside ballots from people on a federal list of alleged noncitizens. It describes his office's preliminary review of the list and the state and federal laws he cites.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Hobbs writes that a preliminary investigation confirms what the federal letter acknowledges, that the list includes United States citizens and is not reliable.
After the quotation
He invites the prosecutors to provide individualized proof so election officials can take steps consistent with federal and state law.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to DOJ's request to segregate the flagged Washington ballots, Hobbs rejects it as unlawful without individualized proof.
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More from this case
Read the full caseFloyd says Washington knowingly sends ballots to noncitizens
United States Department of Justice
“They are knowingly sending out ballots to non-citizens and trust that the non-citizens will not fill out the ballot.”Read statement
Washington's elections office says DOJ's system flags legitimate citizens
Washington Secretary of State
“The system the DOJ uses frequently flags legitimate U.S. citizens as noncitizens, jeopardizing their legal right to vote.”Read statement
Hobbs says officials should protect eligible voters rather than create uncertainty
“At a time when thousands of Washington voters already face ballot rejections due to delayed postmarks, our focus should be on ensuring every eligible voter can exercise their right to vote, not creating additional uncertainty about their eligibility,”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Hobbs says declining to process ballots without individualized proof would be irresponsible and illegal". First published: 2026-10-30. Last updated: 2026-10-30. https://disputeindex.com/events/7243-responding-to-the-request-to-set-aside-ballots