Judge rejects Justice Department bid to isolate 20,000 California ballots

A federal judge in California denied the Justice Department's request for an emergency order to separate approximately 20,000 ballots on Wednesday. The administration sought to segregate votes from individuals it described as likely non-citizens. Judge David Carter issued the ruling in a 26-page opinion.

Carter warned that the move would wreak havoc on the midterm elections already in progress. He noted that the federal government had never previously attempted to coerce a state to abandon its constitutional election procedures on the eve of an election. The judge emphasized that California and its people remain sovereign alongside the Executive Branch.

The opinion cites historical patterns of officials seeking to limit ballot access. Carter stated that the government now seeks to segregate and exclude more than 20,000 ballots. He argued that granting the last-minute request would allow either party to create chaos for political purposes. This would potentially deprive over 20,000 registered Californians of a right that generations of Americans have fought to preserve.

The judge stated that the request violates longstanding constitutional principles mandating state control over elections. He found that the public interest favors protecting constitutional rights and democracy. Individuals who met California's voter registration requirements should not lose their core right due to unfounded allegations from a procedure rife with uncertainty and errors. Election staff working to ensure citizens can cast votes also benefit from the protection of the status quo.

Carter concluded that the Executive Branch cannot replace the remedy Congress enacted with its own solution. He described the requested relief as unlawful and unconstitutional. The judge noted that eroded trust in democracy is irreparable. Once a vote is segregated, lasting harm has occurred. The court declined to participate in a process that threatens an ongoing election based on unproven allegations.

State election leaders had argued that changes made while voting is underway would throw the November election into chaos. They contended that the administration's actions would create a chilling effect on workers and voters. The government also recently charged 28 people in California with election-related crimes.

The court formally denied the Government's Application for Temporary Restraining Order. The decision allows the current ballot counting process to continue without federal intervention. The ruling stands as the final word on the emergency request for now.