Washington state secretary of state fires back at DOJ over noncitizen voter claim: ‘Profoundly disappointing’

Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs shot back at the Justice Department (DOJ) for asking him to order his election officials to set aside ballots for hundreds of people the federal government identified as alleged non-U.S. citizens.

In a Wednesday response to the DOJ’s request, Hobbs said, “Without individualized proof of ineligibility, it would be both irresponsible and illegal for election officials to decline to process a registered voter’s ballot.”

“If you have individualized proof, I invite you to provide it so election officials can take appropriate steps that are consistent with federal and state law,” Hobbs added.

Earlier this week, the DOJ sent a letter to Hobbs, pushing Washington state election officials to set aside ballots from more than 400 people they said had illegally registered to vote.

In the letter, the department said it had found 1,500 ballots........

© The Hill