Seattle’s top federal prosecutor, Acting U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd, announced Monday that federal investigators have identified more than 400 illegal immigrants who may have voted in Washington state elections. Floyd’s letter to Secretary of State Steve Hobbs lists the alleged voters, many of whom are lawful permanent residents, and claims they have cast upward of 1,500 ballots in past state and federal contests.
Federal request for a temporary hold
Floyd is asking Washington to set aside the ballots slated for next week’s midterm election until the legality of the votes can be confirmed. While no charges have yet been filed, Floyd said, “I do anticipate that we will.” He argues that the state lacks the capacity to verify citizenship for all registered voters and that the current system leaves Washington vulnerable to illegal‑immigrant voting.
State response
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, a Democrat, said his office is “carefully reviewing the request and assessing the information sought to ensure that our response complies with applicable state and federal laws.” Hobbs noted that voter fraud is “incredibly rare” in Washington and that any verified cases are referred to local authorities for prosecution. He criticized the timing of the request, calling it an attempt to cast “unfounded suspicion on the results” just a week before the election.
Trump administration’s broader push
The Washington case comes as President Trump intensifies a nationwide campaign to root out illegal‑immigrant voting. The administration has offered a $1 million reward for tips that lead to convictions and is pursuing similar actions in California, where a judge’s order seeks to block the ballots of 20,000 suspected illegal voters. Federal officials in other states have produced estimates that the administration says are “overblown,” but the Trump administration maintains that rigorous enforcement is essential to protect the integrity of American elections.
Legal backdrop
For more than a year, the Justice Department has sought access to Washington’s voter rolls, including sensitive personal data. A federal judge previously dismissed a DOJ lawsuit that attempted to compel the state to hand over those records. Floyd argues that the state’s refusal to provide the data hampers the investigation.
Local election logistics
Washington’s midterm voting, which relies on a mail‑in ballot system, will proceed with over 5.1 million registered voters. Voters attest to their eligibility when they return their ballots. Federal election monitors will be present in King County on Election Day, and Governor Bob Ferguson has offered National Guard assistance to protect ballot drop boxes in several counties.
What’s next?
Floyd expects to receive an additional list of illegal‑immigrant voters from the Department of Homeland Security before the Tuesday election. He and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Pete Serrano contend that Washington must act quickly to prevent further illegal voting. Hobbs, however, stresses due process and warns against “harassment” of Washington voters. The outcome of this dispute will likely shape how states balance voter‑access protections with the Trump administration’s push for stricter citizenship verification.
Original reporting: Clark County Today (Vancouver WA) — read the source article.
