Federal prosecutors accuse 28 noncitizens in California of unlawfully registering to vote, in some cases casting ballots

Federal prosecutors announced charges against 28 people in California whom they allege unlawfully registered to vote while they were noncitizens, and in some cases cast ballots, according to a report published October 19, 2026.

The case centers on election registration records, with prosecutors saying the defendants were able to submit voter-registration information despite not meeting the requirement that U.S. citizenship is necessary to register to vote in federal and state elections.

According to the report, prosecutors described the alleged conduct as a violation of federal election laws that prohibit noncitizens from voting and from unlawfully obtaining access to voter rolls. The announcement follows an investigation into registration activity and, prosecutors said, ballot casting by individuals who were not eligible voters.

The defendants are accused of registering to vote in California while they were not U.S. citizens. The report further states that prosecutors allege some of them cast ballots after registering, making the alleged conduct relevant not only to voter-roll integrity but also to the casting of votes in specific election events.

Election officials and election integrity advocates have repeatedly emphasized that state and federal voter-registration systems are designed to confirm eligibility before ballots are counted. Challenges to voter eligibility can trigger administrative review and, in certain circumstances, lead to additional scrutiny of registration practices.

In addition to the criminal allegations, cases like this can raise practical questions for election administration, including how verification processes are conducted when registration information is submitted and how eligibility checks are handled across local jurisdictions. Prosecutors’ decision to bring federal charges indicates they are treating the conduct as more than a paperwork error.

The report did not provide further details on the specific charges, the locations within California where the alleged conduct occurred, or the dates of the alleged registration and voting activity. Additional information would be expected to come from court filings and subsequent proceedings as the cases move through the criminal justice system.