DOJ Dismisses Lawsuit Over California's 20,000 Disputed Ballots
The Justice Department has dropped its legal challenge to separate approximately 20,000 ballots in California, citing they were 'irreparably commingled' with lawful votes.
The Justice Department has dismissed its lawsuit against California, marking a significant turn in the legal battle over approximately 20,000 disputed ballots cast during the recent election. This decision comes after the department requested California to set aside these ballots, alleging they were cast by noncitizens 123. However, the case faced a critical hurdle when the Supreme Court rejected the Justice Department’s request to separate these ballots on the eve of Election Day 1.
The dismissal of the case is reportedly due to the ballots being 'irreparably commingled' with those cast by eligible voters, making it impossible to distinguish and separate them accurately 1. This outcome effectively ends the Justice Department's legal attempt to compel California to isolate the disputed ballots, which were at the center of the Trump administration's broader efforts to assert control over state-run elections 1.
In a notable development, Judge David O. Carter had previously appointed a special master to examine the possibility of separating the ballots while also considering the risk of disenfranchising lawful voters 1. Despite this, the Justice Department's goal of verifying the immigration status of individuals who cast the disputed ballots remained unfulfilled 2.
California, meanwhile, continues to process a large number of ballots. As of early Friday, the state had already processed around 9 million ballots, with nearly 5 million still awaiting counting 1. The timing of the Justice Department's action on a Friday adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing electoral process 2.
What we know
- The Justice Department asked California to set aside approximately 20,000 ballots allegedly cast by noncitizens 123
- The case was part of the Trump administration's efforts to assert control over state-run elections 1
- The Supreme Court rejected the Justice Department's request to separate the ballots on the eve of Election Day 1
- Judge David O. Carter appointed a special master to consider the separation of ballots and potential disenfranchisement risks 1
- The US Justice Department wanted verification of the immigration status of those who cast the disputed ballots before they were counted 2
- California had processed around 9 million ballots as of early Friday, with nearly 5 million still to be counted 1
- The Justice Department's action took place on a Friday 2
Trust Score report
Likely accurate — probability of truth 73%, weighted across 11 claims from 3 independent outlets.
- confirmed The Justice Department asked California to set aside approximately 20,000 ballots that were allegedly cast by noncitizens. (93%)
- likely The Justice Department decided to dismiss the case due to the ballots being 'irreparably commingled' with lawful ones. (71%)
- likely The US Justice Department ended its legal attempt to compel California to separate approximately 20,000 ballots. (71%)
- likely The Justice Department dismissed its lawsuit against California. (70%)
- likely The case was part of the Trump administration's efforts to assert control over state-run elections. (71%)
- likely The Supreme Court rejected the Justice Department's request to separate the ballots on the eve of Election Day. (71%)
- likely California prosecutors recently arrested over 30 noncitizens for allegedly illegally registering to vote. (71%)
- likely Judge David O. Carter appointed a special master to consider the separation of ballots and potential disenfranchisement risks. (71%)
- likely The US Justice Department wanted verification of the immigration status of those who cast the disputed ballots before they were counted. (71%)
- likely California had processed around 9 million ballots as of early Friday, with nearly 5 million still to be counted. (71%)
- likely The US Justice Department's action took place on a Friday. (71%)
Sources
- CBS News U.S. — DOJ dropping suit asking California to set aside alleged noncitizen ballots
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/justice-department-drops-lawsuit-california-ballots-alleged-noncitizens/ - WKBN.com (Ohio) — US Justice Department drops bid to force California to set aside disputed ballots
https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/ap-us-justice-department-drops-bid-to-force-california-to-set-aside-disputed-ballots/ - The Hill — DOJ dismisses lawsuit over California's 20,000 disputed ballots
https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/6205747-doj-dismisses-california-ballot-lawsuit/