DOJ sues Orange County for hiding noncitizen voter records in election integrity crackdown

• DOJ sues Orange County for allegedly hiding records of noncitizen voter registrations, claiming federal law violations.
• Registrar Robert Page provided redacted documents, omitting critical details like voter IDs and signatures.
• A whistleblower reported an undocumented immigrant receiving an unsolicited mail ballot, sparking the investigation.
• DOJ argues California’s privacy laws don’t override federal transparency requirements for election integrity.
• This lawsuit is part of a broader Trump administration push to enforce accurate voter rolls nationwide.

The Trump administration has filed a federal lawsuit against Orange County, California’s voter registrar for allegedly concealing records that could expose noncitizens illegally registered to vote. The Department of Justice (DOJ) claims Registrar Robert Page violated federal law by refusing to provide unredacted documents proving noncitizen voter registrations and ballot distributions since 2020.

The lawsuit, filed in Santa Ana federal court, stems from a complaint about a noncitizen receiving an unsolicited mail-in ballot—a clear breach of federal voting laws. While Page supplied redacted records, the DOJ argues the omissions obstruct transparency, raising alarming questions about California’s commitment to fair elections.

Federal law versus California’s secrecy

The DOJ’s lawsuit alleges Page violated the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) by refusing full disclosure of voter records. According to the complaint, the agency requested documents showing how many registrations were canceled due to noncitizenship since January 2020. Page complied but redacted critical details, including driver’s license numbers, Social Security numbers, voter ID numbers, and even signatures.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated: “Voting by noncitizens is a federal crime, and states and counties that refuse to disclose all requested voter information are in violation of well-established federal elections laws.” She emphasized that purging noncitizens from voter rolls is essential to ensuring accurate elections. Yet California officials continue hiding behind state privacy laws — laws the DOJ insists do not override federal transparency mandates.

A pattern of liberal obstruction

This lawsuit didn’t emerge in a vacuum. It follows President Trump’s March 25 executive order cracking down on election fraud, which demanded proof of citizenship for voter registration and stricter ballot deadlines. Predictably, Democratic attorneys general sued to block it, and a federal judge sided with them earlier this month. But the DOJ isn’t backing down.

The case began after a whistleblower reported an undocumented immigrant receiving an unsolicited mail ballot — a glaring red flag in a state already notorious for loose voting safeguards. When the DOJ demanded answers, Orange County stonewalled. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli revealed on X that the county refused to hand over records proving noncitizens were registered and received ballots in federal elections.

Page’s office, when pressed by media, hid behind the tired excuse of not commenting on “pending litigation.” But silence speaks volumes. If there’s nothing to hide, why the secrecy?

The bigger battle for election integrity

This lawsuit is part of a broader Trump administration effort to hold blue states accountable for flouting federal election laws. Last month, the DOJ sued North Carolina over inaccurate voter rolls. Yet liberal activists, who routinely dismiss voter fraud as a myth, are fighting tooth and nail to keep these records buried. Their agenda is clear: preserve chaotic, unverified voting systems that benefit their political machine.

The DOJ’s filing argues that redactions prevent assessing whether Orange County complies with HAVA and NVRA, which mandate accurate voter rolls. By withholding unredacted records, Page isn’t just violating federal law; he’s enabling potential fraud.

The DOJ’s lawsuit against Orange County isn’t just about one county’s defiance. It’s about safeguarding the foundation of American democracy. If noncitizens are voting, every legal vote is diluted. If bureaucrats conceal records, public trust erodes further.

California’s resistance to transparency should alarm every citizen who values fair elections. The Trump administration’s lawsuit is a necessary step toward accountability. The question now is whether the courts will side with truth or let liberal obstruction prevail.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

WashingtonExaminer.com

KTLA.com