Judge rejects Trump administration's push to force California to set aside thousands of mail ballots
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- A federal judge rejected the Trump administration's request to require California to separate mail ballots from about 20,000 alleged noncitizens, citing constitutional principles that grant states authority over their own elections.
- Judge David Carter criticized the Justice Department's methodology for identifying noncitizen voters as vague and unreliable, warning that segregating these ballots could disenfranchise lawful voters.
- The ruling represents a setback for the Trump administration's attempts to exert federal control over election processes ahead of the November midterm elections.
- California and Los Angeles County officials disputed the accuracy of the Justice Department's list, highlighting issues such as outdated or canceled registrations and logistical challenges in segregating ballots.
- The Justice Department plans to appeal the decision, maintaining concerns about election integrity and the potential dilution of lawful votes by alleged noncitizen ballots.
