Trump Administration Urges Supreme Court to Intervene in California Ballot Dispute
The Trump administration requests the Supreme Court to prevent California from counting approximately 20,000 ballots cast by noncitizens, just one day before the midterm elections.
The Trump administration has taken a decisive step towards resolving a contentious issue surrounding California’s midterm election ballots, requesting the intervention of the Supreme Court. This move comes just one day before the midterm elections, aiming to halt California from counting around 20,000 ballots cast by individuals who are not citizens 123456.
U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer filed a 19-page document on behalf of the administration, seeking to separate these ballots until citizenship verification could be completed 1. This action follows previous denials by both U.S. District Judge David Carter and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which had rejected the administration’s earlier attempts at securing temporary orders and emergency relief 15.
The Trump administration characterizes its request as a 'modest remedy' that would not invalidate any votes, emphasizing that California’s injury would continue to grow until November 10, due to the state’s extended deadline for mail ballot receipt 15. Furthermore, the administration points out that California’s election laws permit the segregation of challenged ballots, aligning with the state’s established procedures for questioning voter citizenship status 15.
Legal experts, such as Walter Olson from the Cato Institute, have critiqued the Justice Department’s lawsuit for its weak legal basis, while a judge noted the federal government’s attempt to compel California to deviate from its own electoral processes 5. Additionally, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals highlighted that federal law concerning noncitizen voting does not supersede the states’ authority to oversee their elections 5.
This latest development underscores the ongoing tension between federal and state governance in the realm of elections, particularly as the midterm elections approach. It remains to be seen whether the Supreme Court will grant the Trump administration’s request, potentially reshaping the outcome of the California midterm results.
What we know
- The Trump administration requested the Supreme Court to intervene in a dispute over California ballots 123456
- The administration seeks to prevent California from counting ballots cast by more than 20,000 noncitizens 123456
- About 20,000 ballots are involved in this request 123456
- The request was made on the day before the midterm elections 245
- U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer filed a 19-page document requesting the order 1
- The filing aims to keep ballots separate until citizenship verification can occur 1
- U.S. District Judge David Carter previously denied the administration's request for a temporary order 1
- The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals also rejected the Trump administration's motion for emergency relief 1
- The Trump administration describes its request as a 'modest remedy' that would not invalidate any votes 5
- A judge criticized the federal government for attempting to force California to abandon its own election procedures 5
- The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals stated that the federal law regarding noncitizen voting did not override states' rights to manage their own elections 5
- Legal experts, including Walter Olson from the Cato Institute, criticized the Justice Department's lawsuit for lacking a strong legal foundation 5
- California's deadline for receiving mail ballots is a week after election day 1
- The Trump administration believes California's injury will increase until November 10 1
- Solicitor General Sauer suggests California's election laws allow for the segregation of challenged ballots 1
- California has established procedures for challenging voters' citizenship status 5
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Verification report
- confirmed
The Trump administration requested the Supreme Court to intervene in a dispute over California ballots.
97% · supported by 6 - confirmed
The Trump administration seeks to prevent California from counting ballots cast by more than 20,000 noncitizens.
97% · supported by 6 - confirmed
Approximately 20,000 ballots are involved in this request.
97% · supported by 6 - confirmed
The request was made on the day before the midterm elections.
94% · supported by 3 - likely
U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer filed a 19-page document requesting the order.
72% · supported by 1 - likely
The filing aims to keep ballots separate until citizenship verification can occur.
72% · supported by 1 - likely
U.S. District Judge David Carter previously denied the administration's request for a temporary order.
72% · supported by 1 - likely
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals also rejected the Trump administration's motion for emergency relief.
72% · supported by 1 - likely
The Trump administration describes its request as a 'modest remedy' that would not invalidate any votes.
71% · supported by 1 - likely
A judge criticized the federal government for attempting to force California to abandon its own election procedures.
71% · supported by 1 - likely
An appeals court stated that the federal law regarding noncitizen voting did not override states' rights to manage their own elections.
71% · supported by 1 - likely
Legal experts, including Walter Olson from the Cato Institute, criticized the Justice Department's lawsuit for lacking a strong legal foundation.
71% · supported by 1 - likely
California's deadline for receiving mail ballots is a week after election day.
72% · supported by 1 - likely
The Trump administration believes California's injury will increase until November 10.
72% · supported by 1 - likely
Solicitor General Sauer suggests California's election laws allow for the segregation of challenged ballots.
72% · supported by 1 - likely
California has established procedures for challenging voters' citizenship status.
71% · supported by 1
Follow-up checks
- Nov 02, 18:59 UTC 80% +6 · 6 outlets · 4 confirmed, 12 likely update: 6 outlets (+1 since first report)
- Nov 02, 18:16 UTC 73% −3 · 6 outlets · 3 confirmed, 1 likely, 1 disputed update: 6 outlets (+1 since first report)
- Nov 02, 17:19 UTC 76% −5 · 6 outlets +1 · 4 confirmed, 10 likely, 1 unverified, 1 disputed update: 6 outlets (+1 since first report)
- Nov 02, 16:58 UTC 81% · 5 outlets · 3 confirmed, 10 likely first report
Sources & references
- SCOTUSblog — Trump administration asks Supreme Court to intervene in California ballots dispute
- PBS NewsHour — Trump administration asks Supreme Court to sideline 20,000 disputed California mail ballots
- NYT U.S. — Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Intervene in California Ballot Case
- NPR Politics — DOJ asks for Supreme Court to intervene on California ballot demands
- Courthouse News — Trump asks Supreme Court for help in bid to set aside California ballots
- CBS News — Trump administration asks the Supreme Court to set aside ballots from 20,000 alleged noncitizens
