In the Justice Department’s election vocabulary, “likely” has received a promotion. It still cannot establish anyone’s citizenship. It is nevertheless ready to supervise the people counting ballots.
AP reports that a Friday letter warned California officials of potential prosecution for knowingly tabulating ballots cast by people federal agencies identify as noncitizens. That is the department’s warning, not a finding against an election worker.
The Guardian reports DOJ wants disputed ballots withheld pending citizenship checks. California contests its basis. The citizenship claim remains contested; the instruction to worry is exceptionally clear.
Notice the elegant distribution of confidence. The voter’s status requires further verification. The pressure on the clerk is ready for immediate deployment. One office gets an unresolved classification; another gets to contemplate how expensive unresolved classifications can become.
No need to promote the evidence first. That would involve checking whether it deserves the position. “Likely” is already in the supervisor’s chair, asking why the count isn’t finished.
Proof is still pending. The threat has cleared security.