CONTRA COSTA, CA — U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier criticized the Justice Department after it gave several California counties, including Contra Costa, 48 hours to quarantine ballots from more than 400 voters.
DeSaulnier, who represents California's 10th Congressional District, warned in a statement from Friday that the department's actions threatened the Nov. 3 election.
"The integrity of our elections is a fundamental pillar of our democracy," DeSaulnier said.
He backed Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder Kristin Connelly's commitment to secure, free, and fair elections and expressed confidence that local election officials were following state and federal laws.
"I have confidence that local elections officials are conducting this election in accordance with all state and federal laws and working to protect the Constitutional rights guaranteed to American citizens, including ensuring that every eligible voter who wants to participate in the upcoming election has the opportunity to do so," he said in an announcement.
DeSaulnier said the demand followed another federal action involving the election.
"Today's Department of Justice letter comes just hours after the Trump Administration preemptively sued to block the election certification in Alaska if the Republican candidate for Senate loses the race," he said.
"I am deeply concerned by the escalating weaponization of the Justice Department to interfere with the November 3rd election."
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