The Justice Department has warned election officials in several states that they could face jail time, ABC News and Votebeat report. The letters say officials must keep election records as federal law requires. They are dated Thursday, days before Tuesday's midterm elections.

Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter signed the letters, which he framed as a "reminder," ABC News reports. They cover ballots, pollbooks, sign-in sheets and other election materials. "It is a crime to willfully fail to comply," the letter said. "Such a failure is punishable by up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine."

Votebeat reports that officials familiar with the letters said they appear to have gone to all 50 states. The law requires officials to keep the records for 22 months after a federal election, Votebeat says.

Several state officials said past administrations did not stress criminal charges in such reminders, ABC News reports. "It could have been handled differently," said Connecticut Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas, a Democrat.

The letters came after a federal judge in California warned the Trump administration to stop threatening election workers, Votebeat reports. "These threats must stop," Judge David O. Carter wrote Wednesday. Earlier letters in July and September also warned officials of possible penalties, Votebeat reports. The outlet says the Justice Department had not responded to its questions about why the new letters were sent now.

What we know: The Justice Department warned state election officials of criminal penalties for failing to keep records.
What we don't: Exactly how many states got the letters, or why they were sent now.