California’s ballot-verification dispute
U.S. Politics & Government
Last updated
The big picture
The federal government is trying to stop California from counting mail ballots associated with people it believes may not be U.S. citizens until their eligibility is checked. Its October 15 lawsuit names the state, Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Los Angeles County's election chief. The complaint asks for affected ballots to be set aside while citizenship is verified. It is the government's legal argument, not a court finding that everyone listed is ineligible.
California questions the federal data. The disagreement is about both eligibility evidence and the handling of ballots. A list of suspected cases, criminal charges against particular people and a judicial decision are different things; none should be presented as interchangeable proof.
Where things stand
On October 28, Judge Carter denied the emergency request to block counting ballots from the flagged voters. The broader case remains unresolved.
Key facts
- The federal complaint identifies more than 20,000 people as likely noncitizens. That characterization remains an allegation.
- The requested remedy concerns separating and checking specified ballots before counting them, rather than stopping every California ballot.
- California says some entries identify the wrong county.
How we got here
Earlier milestones (2)
The United States files its complaint seeking statewide restrictions on counting specified mail ballots pending citizenship checks.
Federal letters give counties 48 hours to assist with citizenship checks and segregation of questioned mail ballots.
County officials challenge the lists.
The appeals court hears arguments without issuing a ruling.
The appeals court dismisses the premature appeal.
The hearing concludes with a ruling expected the following day.
The requested temporary ballot restriction is denied.
What happens next
- Watch subsequent proceedings; denial of emergency relief is not dismissal of the lawsuit.
Related Daily Edition coverage
- — Judge rejects request to stop processing thousands of California ballots
- — California ballot ruling expected after citizenship hearing
- — Federal ballot demands expand to Washington after California appeal fails
- — Appeals judges question the federal demand to separate California ballots
- — California counties challenge federal demands to separate questioned ballots
- — Federal officials give California counties 48 hours to verify disputed ballots