Federal Court Rejects Trump Administration Bid to Impound California Ballots
A federal appeals court dealt a significant blow to the Trump administration on Friday, rejecting a request to force California officials to set aside more than 20,000 mail-in ballots. The administration had argued that the ballots were sent to potential noncitizens, but the court’s majority ruled that such an intervention would be unconstitutional and would improperly disrupt state election procedures just days before the midterm elections.
Court Rebukes Federal Intervention
In a 2-to-1 decision, the panel—which included both Trump and Biden appointees—stated that the federal government lacks the authority to override California’s election management. The judges noted that if the administration seeks changes to mail-in ballot procedures, it must pursue legislative action through Congress rather than seeking judicial intervention.
The court’s order emphasized that removing thousands of ballots from the standard tabulation process so close to Election Day would constitute an "extraordinary disruption." While the administration may still attempt to appeal to the Supreme Court, the justices have historically been reluctant to alter election rules on the eve of a vote.
Escalating Legal Pressure
The ruling is part of a broader, ongoing effort by the Trump administration to challenge the integrity of the 2026 midterms by alleging widespread noncitizen voting—a claim that California officials maintain is based on flawed data.
In a separate development late Friday, a federal judge provided further relief to election workers by temporarily blocking the Justice Department from threatening local officials with criminal prosecution regarding ballot compliance. These legal maneuvers coincide with federal grand jury subpoenas issued to California election workers and similar investigations in Alaska, as the administration seeks to address sagging approval ratings and tight races in key states.
