Kabateck LLP managing partner Shant Karnikian analyzed the U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit against Orange County Registrar Bob Page for OrangeCountyLawyers.com.
The DOJ lawsuit, filed June 25 in federal court, alleges that Page violated the National Voter Registration Act and Help America Vote Act by refusing to provide records related to non-citizen voter removals and failing to maintain accurate voter registration lists.
The case stems from a complaint involving a non-citizen who reportedly received an unsolicited mail-in ballot despite not being eligible to vote. The registrar’s office has defended its actions, citing California privacy laws that protect sensitive voter information including driver’s license numbers, social security numbers, and signature images.
Speaking to OrangeCountyLawyers.com, Karnikian characterized the litigation as politically motivated: “In this political climate, it’s been party over country and in this case, it’s now party over county.” He noted that the timing ensures national attention during midterm election years, potentially fueling narratives about voter fraud and immigration.
Karnikian highlighted the core legal tension: “The court will have to weigh in ultimately on whether or not federal law preempts California’s privacy law. There’s a question of state’s rights versus the Supremacy Clause.”
The case is being prosecuted by three conservative attorneys now serving in the Trump administration’s DOJ, including former California Republican Party vice chair Harmeet K. Dhillon.