Federal judge rejects Trump administration’s request to separate 20,000 ballots in California

LOS ANGELES (KABC)– A federal judge in California has denied the Justice Department’s request to pass an emergency order for California to segregate about 20,000 ballots belonging to people who the Trump administration said were “probably” noncitizens.

Judge warns it would “wreak havoc” in midterm elections.

“Never before in American history has the federal government, on the eve of an election, sought to force a state and local government to abandon its own constitutional election procedures and bend to the will of the executive branch,” Judge David Carter wrote in his Wednesday order. “By filing this lawsuit, the Executive would have this Court believe that it reigns as sole sovereign. But California and its people are also sovereign.”

In a 26-page opinion, Carter repeatedly highlights previous examples in American history where government officials have sought to disenfranchise citizens — which he says lays the groundwork for the Trump administration’s last-ditch effort to interfere in California’s elections.

“Every generation in our history has witnessed repeated clashes between those who seek to limit access to the ballot and those who fight to guarantee it. In this case, the federal government seeks to segregate and exclude more than 20,000 ballots.”

“This request violates long-standing constitutional principles requiring states to have control of their elections. If plaintiff’s last-minute relief request were granted, either party could create chaos for its own political purposes and disrupt the electoral process. More than 20,000 registered Californians would potentially lose the right that generations of Americans have fought for.”

“The government’s request for a temporary restraining order is DENIED.”

“Constitutional rights and our democracy are at stake. The public interest favors their protection. Individuals who have met the requirements of California’s voter registration laws should not be deprived of a fundamental right simply because of unfounded allegations arising from a process fraught with uncertainty and error. The public interest also favors the protection of election officials, who work diligently to ensure that all citizens can vote,” the judge’s order continued.

“The relief requested by the Executive Branch, however, would wreak havoc and disrupt elections already underway, create a chilling effect on election workers and voters, and reduce the votes of American citizens. The executive branch cannot replace the remedy carefully adopted by Congress with its own illegal and unconstitutional solution. allegations, then our democracy is in danger. This Court refuses to participate in such a process.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement shortly after the ruling: “The district court denied our emergency request to sequester the ballots of 20,000 suspected non-citizens. Every day, more and more ballots are processed by election officials.

State election leaders had argued that making changes while voting is already underway would throw the November election into chaos.

Recently, the California government charged 28 people with election-related crimes.