By — Safiyah Riddle, Associated Press Safiyah Riddle, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/judge-denies-federal-request-to-segregate-california-ballots-says-it-would-wreak-havoc-on-voting Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Judge denies federal request to segregate California ballots, says it would 'wreak havoc' on voting Politics Oct 29, 2026 6:57 PM EDT LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge rejected on Wednesday a Trump administration request to stop California from processing the ballots of up to 20,000 people over allegations they are likely noncitizens, warning it would "wreak havoc" on the midterm elections. READ MORE: California election officials frustrated, rattled by DOJ demand to sequester 'noncitizen' ballots The ruling by U.S. District Judge David O. Carter comes as more than 3.7 million people have already voted in the state. "Eroded trust in our democracy is irreparable. Once a vote is segregated, lasting harm has occurred," Carter wrote. "If the Executive can discount votes and threaten an ongoing election due to unproven allegations, then our democracy is in danger. This Court declines to be a party to such process." Prosecutors for the…
Judge denies federal request to segregate California ballots, says it would 'wreak havoc' on voting
In short
Judge Carter ruled that forcing counties to hold back specific ballots would amount to an unlawful voter purge under the National Voting Rights Act, which bans roll alterations within 90 days of an election. The court observed that election workers would need to invent entirely new sorting protocols while managing voting that is already actively taking place across the state. Complicating matters further, California has already processed more than 500,000 returned ballots with their identifying envelopes separated. Meanwhile, the Justice Department is pursuing similar voting litigation in both Washington state and Alaska.
Key points
- Judge Carter determined that segregating ballots so close to the election functions effec…: Judge Carter determined that segregating ballots so close to the election functions effectively as an unlawful voter purge.
- The administration is appealing the ruling as part of a multi-state legal strategy target…: The administration is appealing the ruling as part of a multi-state legal strategy targeting congressional battlegrounds.
- California automatically mails ballots to all 23 million of its registered voters, making…: California automatically mails ballots to all 23 million of its registered voters, making last-minute sorting logistically disruptive.