The rumor is Likely false
“The Justice Department is going to throw out Washington ballots cast by noncitizens.”
The fact
No court has ordered any Washington ballot set aside or thrown out.
On Oct. 26 federal prosecutors said they found about 405 noncitizens registered in Washington who had voted, and asked Secretary of State Steve Hobbs to set aside their ballots by Oct. 28 and hand over the full voter roll. On Oct. 28 Hobbs refused, saying many people on the list are citizens and that holding their ballots without individual proof would likely be unlawful. Prosecutors say they will review his answer and decide next steps; no one has been charged with voting illegally in a state election. If you vote in Washington, return your ballot and track it at VoteWA.gov.
How this story developed
- Secretary of State Hobbs refuses to set aside the ballots, saying many people on the list are citizens and holding them would likely be unlawful without individual proof. Prosecutors say they will review and decide next steps.
- CBS reports prosecutors gave Hobbs until Oct. 28 to set the ballots aside or face an emergency suit, and that DHS will send Washington a second list soon. No ballot has been set aside.
- Federal prosecutors in Seattle say about 405 noncitizens registered and voted in Washington and ask Secretary of State Steve Hobbs to set aside their ballots. Hobbs disputes the list and says some are citizens.