Before polls open, Newsom warns Trump DOJ could seize California ballots in escalating legal battle

Supreme Court appeal seeks ballot separation

The Trump administration’s emergency appeal asks the justices to order California to separate ballots it alleges were unlawfully cast from the vote count. Government attorneys say the step would preserve time to check the eligibility of people suspected of being noncitizens, rather than cancel their votes.

The request followed a federal appeals court’s rejection last week of the administration’s second effort to block California ballots. The judges said the move could jeopardize the midterm election and deny eligible voters their right to vote.

Newsom raises seizure concerns

Newsom told senior federal judges in California he had “grave concerns” that the Justice Department might seek warrants for ballots, election records and voting machines. He said federal officials’ letters threatening criminal prosecution of election officials raised fears that agents could take voting materials before results are certified.

Newsom said federal officials’ words and actions suggested they could turn to criminal proceedings after losing repeatedly in civil court. He also said California was serious about protecting the security of the midterm election.

Officials challenge federal allegations

California Attorney General Rob Bonta called the Supreme Court request an attempt to undermine elections and disregard the rule of law. He said the state would pursue available legal options to protect election integrity and enforce federal law.

After a court ordered the government to provide a list of more than 20,000 alleged noncitizens to a human rights group, data scientists working with the group reported that about 9,000 were not on state voter rolls. They also found dozens of cases in which people on the list were likely citizens.

Judge blocks alleged intimidation campaign

On Friday night, a federal judge barred administration officials, including senior Justice Department and Homeland Security officials, from a campaign to intimidate, threaten or coerce state and local election workers involved in the 2026 midterm election. The Supreme Court appeal came less than 24 hours before Election Day polls were due to open. Federal judges and election experts viewed the administration’s latest effort as unlikely to succeed and warned it could disrupt ballot counting.