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UpdateNationalFriday, October 30, 2026

DOJ told all 50 states to preserve ballots and election records for 22 months

The Justice Department directed states to preserve election materials under federal law and warned of penalties for noncompliance.

Reporting by
Democracy Docket on Bluesky
“Democracy Docket on Bluesky: NEW: The DOJ confirmed it reached out to all 50 states directing them to preserve ballots and other election r”, Friday, October 30, 2026
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What happened

The DOJ confirmed it contacted all 50 states directing them to preserve ballots and other election records for 22 months under federal law. The department warned states that willfully failing to comply carries penalties of up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.1

50 states
contacted by DOJ1
22 months
preservation period for ballots and election records1
up to one year
prison time for willfully failing to comply1
What it means

What this means for election records

The DOJ warned that willfully failing to comply carries penalties of up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.1

More on this story
National · Oct 31
9th Circuit rejected Trump administration bid to set aside California ballots
Reporting by thehill.com
National · Oct 31
Republicans sued to block certification of Texas midterm results
Reporting by Democracy Docket on Bluesky
The answers behind this
How votes are counted and made officialWhat protects the result if someone tries to interfere after the vote?Who certifies the election results in my state?

Explore this issue

OverviewUpdates In depthThe Columbus Dispatch outlined voter ID requirements in Ohio In depthVoting advocates seek immediate block to policy that compiled voter lists In depthJustice Department sent election monitors to Arizona polling places In depthAdvancing Justice-Atlanta reminded voters of drop box deadline In depthColorado Secretary of State reminded voters of ballot return options In depthACLU says Maricopa County poll workers confused early voters on ID In depthPennsylvania officials urged voters to trust systems before midterms In depthPennsylvania analysis found flaws in jury list method for finding noncitizen voters In depthNearly 1.4 million Michigan voters cast early ballots by Oct. 27 In depthMichigan voting rules story published without article text In depthTexas election results become official only after certification In depthMichigan Secretary of State staff spoke at MSU student voting event

Sources

  1. Democracy Docket on Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.com/post/3mz4ei4u7m724 · Friday, October 30, 2026

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