ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A federal judge blocked an effort by the Trump administration to investigate whether non-citizens are registered to vote in nine states, including New York.
The ruling prevents any fear or intimidation that could deter voters from heading to any of the 15 polling sites in the county, especially with early voting starting tomorrow. The judge put the ruling on hold until today to give the Trump administration time to appeal.
The Trump administration had been looking to target non-citizen voters through the Department of Homeland Security’s voter-matching process. The federal judge said that data is full of errors and that it intimidates people who help or encourage others to vote.
“I’ve written to the Department of Justice, the Attorney General, reminding them of what the statute and the law allows them to do. It is not to interfere. It is simply to observe what is happening…The Attorney General has promised me under oath in front of my committee that he would prosecute anyone who shows up with the intent of intimidating or anyone who shows up armed at a polling place,” Morelle said.
Rep. Joe Morelle said he is confident in local election administrators to oversee the polling sites and the vote count process. Morelle serves on the Committee on House Administration, which regulates federal elections.
The Department of Homeland Security responded to the ruling in a statement, saying it is focused on removing non-citizens who vote and dilute the votes of U.S. citizens. The department also said it does not have plans to question or investigate people it believes to be U.S. citizens.
The judge said the investigation into the nine states will remain on pause until polls close on Election Day.
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