California Judge Orders DOJ to Stop Trying to Restrict Ballot Counting

Order limits federal demands

Late Friday, the judge directed the federal government to halt demands that state and local officials isolate certain ballots or exclude votes tied to alleged noncitizens. The restriction also covers threats to prosecute election officials who refuse to comply.

California voting probe expands

This month, the Justice Department pushed California officials to separate mail ballots associated with about 20,000 people it alleges are not U.S. citizens. Federal prosecutors also issued grand jury subpoenas to officials in Los Angeles County.

The actions are part of a broad Trump administration campaign. Federal officials have also spent months suggesting election workers could face prosecution if they fail to prevent noncitizens from voting.

Judge cites voter protections

Thompson said federal officials likely breached the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which bars efforts to intimidate, threaten or coerce people assisting others to vote. She also concluded the government likely acted beyond its legal or constitutional powers. The judge wrote that, despite the government’s stated goal of stopping unlawful voting, its conduct could disrupt election administration and deny lawful voters their rights.