DOJ demands California voter records as early voting begins

CBS LA follows federal demands for county voter information, Newsom's pushback and voters casting ballots in Burbank.

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CBS LA Story of October 26, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? The video opened at a pace of 86,319 views a day, 18 times a normal first day on this channel (4,697).

Department of Justice voter investigation

CBS LA takes its cameras outside polling locations in Burbank, where Californians are voting early while a federal inquiry into voter registration unfolds. One voter gives a straightforward reason for showing up: "Just to make sure that my vote counts."

The report, titled "Department of Justice voter investigation," centers on the Trump administration's claim that thousands of noncitizens received ballots in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom rejects the effort, while federal prosecutor Bill Essayli calls for county officials to remove unauthorized names from the rolls.

The demands have a deadline attached. According to the report, the Department of Justice gave Orange and San Bernardino counties 48 hours to provide identifying voter information. It also reports that Los Angeles County Registrar Dean Logan refused to comply, prompting a DOJ lawsuit.

Political analyst Zev Yaroslavsky challenges the premise of the inquiry: "These are wild allegations that have no basis in evidence."

The Short drew nearly 49,000 views in nine hours, already far beyond CBS LA's usual first-day Shorts audience. But its focus returns to the people at the polls. Voters discuss election safeguards, and a voter identified as an immigrant from Peru explains why someone seeking citizenship would not want to jeopardize naturalization.

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