California Challenges Federal Bid Over 20,000 Ballots

A federal judge temporarily restricted parts of the Trump administration’s effort to question people suspected of registering illegally, citing unreliable data and risks to eligible voters and election workers; the order applies in nine states through the close of polls on November 3. In a separate California dispute, the Justice Department has asked county officials to identify suspected noncitizens and set aside their mail ballots while eligibility is checked, concerning roughly 20,000 ballots. A federal appeals court ordered California to respond by Saturday to the administration’s emergency request; the DOJ says counting ballots cast by ineligible voters could expose officials to criminal liability. California officials and Democratic leaders contest the effort, citing election procedures, unreliable data and the risk of disenfranchising eligible voters, while some counties review the requests. A hearing in California’s lawsuit is scheduled for Tuesday, and it remains unclear whether the appeals court will act before then. Separately, federal authorities have charged more than two dozen California legal permanent residents with alleged illegal voter registration or voting; some cases also allege misrepresentations on citizenship applications, and at least one defendant says he did not know he was registered and has never voted.