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NewsMyNewsLA — CrimeOctober 30, 2026Los Angeles County

Appeals Court Rejects DOJ Bid to Stop Processing of 20,000 California Ballots

Photo: MyNewsLA — Crime

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals denied a Justice Department request to block California election officials from processing more than 20,000 vote-by-mail ballots from individuals suspected of being non-citizens. The ruling upholds a lower court decision finding that federal intervention would disrupt an ongoing election without statutory backing. An expedited hearing is scheduled for Nov. 13.

ElectionsVoting RightsLegal ProceedingsFederal State Relations
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Why It Matters

The federal government sought to sequester thousands of live ballots during an active election, raising immediate questions about whether those votes would be processed or discounted ahead of the state's Dec. 3 certification deadline.

Key Facts

  • The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1 to reject the Justice Department's second bid to halt the processing of over 20,000 California ballots.
  • The federal government alleged the ballots belong to registered voters who may be non-citizens.
  • U.S. District Judge David O. Carter previously denied a temporary restraining order, stating the request would disrupt an ongoing election and discount citizen votes.
  • Judge Carter set an expedited hearing for Nov. 13 in Los Angeles to examine the reliability of the methodology used to create the suspect voter list.
  • California election officials have until Dec. 3 to certify election results.
  • Federal prosecutors subpoenaed California state and local election officials regarding alleged illegal voting.
  • Secretary of State Shirley Weber and L.A. County Registrar-Recorder Dean Logan argued they lack the legal authority and mechanisms to freeze mail ballots.
  • The Justice Department sued California on Oct. 15 after the state refused to voluntarily sequester the votes.
  • The DOJ has filed similar lawsuits seeking voter registration data in 30 states, losing the majority of the cases so far.

Who's Mentioned

PersonDavid O. Carter“U.S. District Judge overseeing the lawsuit”otherUnited States of America v. State of California, et al.“The lawsuit filed by the federal government against California”PersonDean Logan“Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk opposing the injunction”Organization9th Circuit Court of Appeals“Appellate court that denied the DOJ's appeal”OrganizationTrump administration“Administration pursuing the election-related legal actions”PersonShirley Weber“Secretary of State opposing the injunction”OrganizationJustice Department“Plaintiff seeking to block processing of ballots”locationLos Angeles“Location of the federal court handling the case”locationCalifornia“State whose voter rolls and election procedures are the subject of the lawsuit”