Los Angeles homeless voter fraud allegations spark controversy

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli publicly rebuked a Los Angeles Times report that described alleged voter‑fraud activities among Skid Row homeless as "unfounded," pointing out that the article itself documented individuals being paid cash to register to vote and sign ballot petitions, a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison.

Separate videos posted by the Instagram account TheVoiceofLA feature homeless residents claiming they were approached by canvassers who offered money to complete voter‑registration forms, were instructed to vary signatures, and sometimes asked to sign multiple ballots. One interviewee said, "They’re working for political partners," and described being told to write with their other hand or even their foot. The footage appeared as federal officials suspended funding to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority over financial‑management concerns.

Both sources suggest isolated incidents rather than widespread fraud, and the Los Angeles Times maintains that no evidence of systematic voter fraud was found in the city’s recent primaries.