DOJ Reports Plans to Criminally Charge State, Local Election Officials Over Security

The Department of Justice under President Donald Trump is considering the unprecedented step of criminally charging state or local election officials who fail to meet the administration's standards for safeguarding election computer systems. This initiative stems from the Trump administration's unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud and foreign interference in American elections, despite a lack of new evidence or legal authority. The DOJ's criminal division has already contacted multiple states regarding their election data-sharing practices and compliance with federal election laws, including the security of voting machines. Trump’s March executive order mandates citizenship proof for federal election registration and imposes stricter regulations on election equipment and ballot counting, though some provisions have faced legal challenges. Legal experts express concern that this move could criminalize routine election management and amplify political pressure on election officials, even as election security experts affirm that U.S. elections remain safe and secure. The effort represents a significant federal intrusion into what has traditionally been state and local election administration.