NewsLos Angeles Times – PoliticsOctober 30, 2026Los Angeles County
9th Circuit denies Trump administration request to block 20,000 California ballots
Photo: Los Angeles Times – Politics
A federal appeals court for the second time denied a Trump administration request to block 20,000 ballots from California voters whom the administration alleges may be noncitizens. The three-judge panel ruled 2-1 that the administration failed to show extraordinary relief is required by law and that the U.S. Constitution gives states and Congress the power to run elections.
Read the full story at Los Angeles Times – PoliticsWhy It Matters
The federal appeals court ruling preserves the state's authority to process and count 20,000 contested ballots during an ongoing election, rejecting federal intervention that state and local officials argued would unlawfully disrupt established voting procedures.
Key Facts
- A federal appeals court denied for the second time a Trump administration request to block 20,000 ballots from California voters alleged to be noncitizens.
- The 2-1 majority panel included two Trump appointees and one Biden appointee, with Judge Mark J. Bennett and Judge Gabriel P. Sanchez forming the majority.
- Judge Patrick J. Bumatay dissented from the ruling, arguing the federal government presented a modest remedy to verify eligibility.
- The court ruled that the U.S. Constitution gives the state and Congress the power to run elections, and Congress has not exercised specific power to override California's established laws.
- The majority noted that a separate federal law bars sweeping changes to voter lists 90 days prior to an election.
- The same three-judge panel rejected the demands on Monday, following a lower district judge in Los Angeles who rejected them on Wednesday.
- County election officials across California are receiving criminal grand jury subpoenas demanding internal records and testimony related to the administration's demands.
- The 20,000 flagged voters represent about 0.087% of California's more than 23 million registered voters.
- Federal prosecutors have brought criminal charges against only 28 people in the state regarding voter fraud.
- Unions representing California election workers sued the Justice Department on Thursday over alleged intimidation and coercion of state and local officials.
Who's Mentioned
PersonRob Bonta“California Attorney General who commented on the ruling.”locationLos Angeles County“Local jurisdiction involved in legal filings and receiving grand jury subpoenas.”PersonHakeem Jeffries“House Minority Leader (D-N.Y.) asserting the administration's efforts are a pret”PersonChuck Schumer“Senate Minority Leader (D-N.Y.) asserting the administration's efforts are a pre”PersonPatrick J. Bumatay“Trump appointee and dissenting judge on the panel.”PersonGabriel P. Sanchez“Biden appointee and member of the appellate court majority.”PersonDean Logan“Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk and defendant in the case.”OrganizationHomeland Security“Receiving records via grand jury subpoenas from election officials.”PersonGavin Newsom“California Governor who criticized the administration's efforts.”OrganizationU.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals“Federal appeals court that denied the administration's request.”locationWashington, D.C.“Location of separate federal court challenges regarding voter lists.”OrganizationRepublican Party“Party noted by Democratic leaders as poised to lose power in elections.”PersonPresident Biden“Appointed one judge on the three-judge panel.”OrganizationTrump administration“Requested a court order to block 20,000 California ballots.”OrganizationAssociated Press“Reported that subpoenas are going out in all four federal court districts in Cal”PersonMark J. Bennett“Trump appointee and member of the appellate court majority.”PersonShirley Weber“California Secretary of State and defendant in the case.”OrganizationJustice Department“Appealed the lower court's ruling and is issuing grand jury subpoenas.”locationLos Angeles“Location of the lower district judge who previously rejected the demands.”locationCalifornia“State where the contested ballots and election procedures are located.”PersonPresident Trump“Appointed two judges on the three-judge panel and alleged widespread voting frau”