DOJ drops bid to set aside California ballots
The gist
The US Justice Department moved Friday to dismiss its suit to stop California counting about 20,000 disputed ballots.
The case tested federal power over state-run elections; a related suit continues.
How it unfolded
- mid-October 2026The DOJ sues California, after ballots had been sent to all 23 million registered voters and hundreds of thousands were already processed.
- Oct 26, 2026A federal appeals court rejects the DOJ's request to bypass the district court in its effort to bar counting the ballots.
- Oct 28, 2026U.S. District Judge David Carter, a Clinton appointee, denies the DOJ's request for a temporary restraining order in a 26-page ruling.
Key terms
- special master
- An official appointed by a judge to ensure judicial orders are followed or to hear evidence and make recommendations to the judge.
- temporary restraining order
- A court order requiring a party to do or stop doing a specific act.
- voter-roll maintenance
- The process of keeping an electoral roll of registered voters accurate and up to date.
Source: Wikipedia