DOJ Gives California 48 Hours, Threatens Legal Action

The Justice Department sued California, asking a federal court to bar the state from counting ballots from roughly 20,000 voters the administration says may be noncitizens until their citizenship is verified. Federal officials say a DHS review identified the names and that California failed to meet a 48-hour deadline to review a password-protected drive; they say ballots should be set aside, not canceled, while status is unresolved. California disputes the evidence and methodology, says the federal government has not substantiated its claims, and argues the demands could disenfranchise eligible voters; Los Angeles County officials also cited data-security concerns about accessing the drive. California maintains that state law governs voter eligibility and election administration. The lawsuit escalates a dispute over federal involvement in state voter-roll management as voting is underway ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm election.