On the record · Updated October 30, 2026

Bill Essayli quotes

First Assistant U.S. Attorney

4 things Bill Essayli said, verbatim, from October 25, 2026 to October 30, 2026, each linked to where it ran. Grouped by the questions at issue, with who supported, disputed, or qualified each one.

4stories

4statements

Oct 30latest entry

Positions

Election officials should set aside ballots from voters the Justice Department flags as likely noncitizens until citizenship is verified.

Supports Oct 30

“Segregating a ballot does not prevent it from being counted later”

PBS NewsHour Judge refuses to set aside 20,000 California ballots; DOJ subpoenas LA election staff ›

Others on this question

Rick Hasen University of California, Los Angeles election-law professor Disputes

“total overreach of federal power”

Steve Hobbs Washington secretary of state Disputes

“Without individualized proof of ineligibility, it would be both irresponsible and illegal for election officials to decline to process a registered voter's ballot”

Bill Essayli on Democracy & voting rights3

As printed Oct 30

“It is designed to preserve the status quo and prevent the infection of our election with illegal ballots.”

on the DOJ's request to set California ballots aside over suspected noncitizen votes

PBS NewsHour Judge denies federal request to segregate California ballots, says it would 'wreak havoc' on voting ›

As printed Oct 30

“This ongoing emergency disenfranchises American citizens through dilution.”

on the DOJ's Ninth Circuit appeal over suspected noncitizen voters in California

Fox News Trump DOJ's fight over 20K suspected noncitizen voters takes sharp turn as California ballots pour in ›

As printed Oct 25

“Any election official who knowingly processes the ballot of a noncitizen is opening themselves to legal jeopardy,”

on a DOJ order for some California counties to set aside suspected noncitizen ballots

PBS NewsHour DOJ orders some California counties to set aside ballots from suspected noncitizens ›

All 119 people on the record on democracy & voting rights ›

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