The Trump administration has asked Washington state to hold more than 400 people's ballots, according to The Washington Post. Federal officials say the voters in question may be noncitizens.
The request was reported on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. ABC News reports that the administration wants the state to set the ballots aside. KING5.com likewise reports that the administration asked Washington to set aside ballots from about 400 voters it says may be noncitizens.
According to MS NOW, Washington is now the second state to be threatened by the Justice Department over mail ballots. The outlet did not identify the first state in the summary available.
Washington State Standard reports that federal officials allege more than 400 noncitizens voted in the state. The same outlet reports that Hobbs disputes the data. The material available does not specify which official named Hobbs holds which office, so that detail is not stated here.
The Washington Post's headline frames the request as the administration asking the state to hold the ballots. The reporting does not, in the material available, say whether Washington has agreed to do so or how officials plan to respond.
What to watch next: whether Washington state officials comply with the request or challenge it, and how the dispute over the voter data develops.
