Judge orders DOJ to stop trying to "intimidate" California election officials
Summary
A federal judge in California temporarily barred the Justice Department from pressuring state and local election officials to set aside ballots linked to alleged noncitizens or threatening officials with prosecution. The order runs through Nov. 16, with another hearing set for Nov. 13; the judge said the government’s actions likely violated federal law and could interfere with election administration.Key Facts
- U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson issued the temporary restraining order late Friday.
- The order bars the Justice Department from demanding that officials separate ballots or stop counting certain votes tied to alleged noncitizens.
- It also bars threats of criminal prosecution against election officials who do not comply.
- The lawsuit was filed by labor unions and other groups, which accused the Trump administration of intimidating election workers and interfering with midterm elections.
- The Justice Department had sought to separate mail ballots linked to about 20,000 people it alleges are not U.S. citizens.
- Thompson said federal officials likely violated the Voting Rights Act’s ban on intimidating, threatening, or coercing people who help others vote.
- The order requires the Justice Department to tell the court about pending search warrant applications or subpoenas.
- A separate judge and an appeals court had already rejected requests to set aside the ballots.
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