US Judge Blocks Trump Admin Bid to Set Aside 20,000 California Mail Ballots
A federal judge in California rejected the US Department of Justice's request to set aside the ballots of over 20,000 voters, citing potential interference in the midterm election. The ruling was issued on October 29, 2026, and was reported by multiple news outlets. The decision was framed as a rejection of what the judge called 'brazen pre-election interference' by the Trump administration.
Where Sources Diverge
While most sources describe the judge's ruling as a rejection of the request to set aside ballots, some outlets emphasize the legal arguments made by the Department of Justice regarding the potential non-citizen status of the voters.
The Department of Justice's efforts to set aside the ballots of more than 20,000 California voters it said might not be citizens.
Democratic Party leaders have sued the Trump administration over the request, accusing Republicans of aiming 'threats and intimidation' at state and local officials before the vote.
The exact number of ballots in question is consistently reported as 20,000 across multiple sources, though some outlets refer to them as 'mail ballots' while others use the term 'ballots' more generally.
Federal judge warns Trump administration's bid to set aside 20,000 California mail ballots would 'wreak havoc'.
Judge denies federal request to segregate California ballots, says it would 'wreak havoc' on voting.
The timing of the ruling is reported as occurring on October 29, 2026, across all sources, though some outlets note that the ruling was issued in the early morning hours.
Published: 2026-10-29T01:23:42.000Z
Published: 2026-10-29T06:52:43.000Z
The legal basis for the ruling is not explicitly detailed in all sources, though the judge's statement is consistently described as a warning against interference in the electoral process.
Federal judge warns Trump administration's bid to set aside 20,000 California mail ballots would 'wreak havoc'.
Democratic Party leaders have sued the Trump administration over the request, accusing Republicans of aiming 'threats and intimidation' at state and local officials before the vote.
Sources
Judge denies federal request to segregate California ballots, says it would 'wreak havoc' on voting PBS
A federal judge on Wednesday rejected the US Department of Justice's efforts to set aside the ballots of more than 20,000 California voters it said might not be citizens, slamming the move as brazen pre-election "interference." The post US judge rejects Trump admin interference in California midterm vote appeared first on Vanguard News.
US judge rejects Trump admin interference in California midterm vote Arab News
Democratic Party leaders have sued the Trump administration over the request, accusing Republicans of aiming 'threats and intimidation' at state and local officials before the vote.
Judge rejects Justice Department bid to set aside California ballots The Washington Post
Federal judge warns Trump administration’s bid to set aside 20,000 California mail ballots would ‘wreak havoc’ CNN
Federal judge warns Trump administration bid to set aside 20,000 California mail ballots would ‘wreak havoc’ CNN
Judge denies federal request to segregate California ballots, says it would 'wreak havoc' on voting AP News