The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Oct. 16, 2026
Written & Produced by:
October 15, 2026 12:00 pmSACRAMENTO, CA — At last count, the Trump Department of Justice had lost 26 cases against states which refused to turn over personal voting data, including California. In an October 13th letter, DOJ shifted tactics, demanding California review its own lists for noncitizens registered to vote using DOJ’s data, and gave the state 48 hours to do so. Or else.
In the letter, first reported by Reuters, Acting Deputy Attorney General R. Trent McCotter threatened that if the state didn’t implement the process by noon on Oct. 15th, QUOTE, “Given the ongoing federal election, the United States will have no choice but to seek emergency relief,” UNQUOTE. Emergency relief meaning a court mandate.
The Associated Press reports that a similar letter DOJ sent to Los Angeles election officials contained a thumb drive of alleged noncitizen voters. DOJ recently provided a list of purported registered Nevada noncitizens from the notoriously inaccurate SAVE database, which resulted in zero registered noncitizens out of the 16,000 DOJ identified. Voter registration of noncitizens is rare, and is more often the result of a government mistake or language barrier than intentional fraud.
It’s highly unlikely that California’s 58 counties could meet such an unrealistic deadline. California uses universal mail voting, and counties in California began mailing out ballots October 5th.
We’ve posted links to the DOJ letters at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources
U.S. Department of Justice – (via Axios) Demand Letter to CA Secretary of State Shirley Weber
U.S. Department of Justice – (via Axios) Demand Letter to Los Angeles Registrar/Recorder
Axios – DOJ gives California 48 hours to check voters or face lawsuit
PBS NewsHour – Justice Department threatens California with legal action over claim of noncitizens on voter rolls
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – (Jan. 2026) Federal Circuit Courts Block Trump DOJ from Obtaining California and Oregon Voter Data
American Democracy Minute – A DC Federal Court Says DOJ’s Quixotic Quest for Private Voter Data was Illegal, Blocks Further Data Collection Nationwide. An Appeal is Likely.
Groups Taking Action:
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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