Election workers describe toll of DOJ threats in court filings
Summary
California election officials told a federal court that Justice Department threats caused anxiety, distracted staff and forced offices to prepare for possible disruptions. On Friday, a judge temporarily barred the department from threatening or pressuring state and local election workers to stop processing ballots based solely on claims that voters were ineligible.Key Facts
- The Justice Department issued grand jury subpoenas to California local election officials as part of a criminal investigation into the state’s voter rolls.
- Santa Clara County election official Matt Morales said the federal government’s conduct had a severe chilling effect on him and his staff.
- Contra Costa County Registrar Kristin Connelly said responding to the threat caused frustration and stress.
- San Benito County Registrar Francisco Diaz said he feared arrest after receiving a letter threatening prosecution and made an emergency plan for his office.
- Officials said they had to prepare for possible federal interference as Election Day approached.
- Morales said officials updated worker training to cover de-escalation and safety in case law enforcement activity disrupted voting centers.
- U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson issued a temporary restraining order through Nov. 16, barring the Justice Department from threatening or coercing election officials to halt ballot processing solely because the department alleged a voter was ineligible.
- Officials warned that threats could cause staff and volunteers to quit, making vote counting more difficult.
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