Judge rejects DoJ bid on California ballots
The gist
U.S. District Judge David Carter denied the Justice Department's request to stop processing ballots tied to 20,000 people it calls likely noncitizens.
The ruling lands days before the Nov 3 midterms, with millions of California votes already cast.
How it unfolded
- Oct 15, 2026The Justice Department sued California and Los Angeles County, claiming federal investigators had identified more than 20,000 registered voters who were likely noncitizens.
- Oct 26, 2026A 2-1 panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the administration's emergency bid to force California to separate the mail-in ballots, finding the DOJ had improperly circumvented the lower court.
- Oct 27, 2026Judge David Carter held a hearing in Los Angeles on the administration's request for a temporary restraining order.