New Delhi, Oct. 26 -- A major dispute has erupted between the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and California election officials over the state's voter registration records, with the Trump administration accusing the state of failing to prevent potentially ineligible noncitizens from voting in federal elections.

California, however, has challenged the federal government's data and accused it of attempting to interfere with election administration shortly before the November 3, 2026, midterm elections.

The controversy escalated on October 15, when the DOJ filed a federal lawsuit against California, its Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Dean Logan.

The department alleged that more than 20,000 people...