US Supreme Court Blocks Trump’s Bid to Withhold California Ballots
The United States Supreme Court has rejected President Donald Trump’s administration’s attempt to prevent California from counting approximately 20,000 ballots linked to alleged non-citizen voters.
The ruling represents another legal setback for Washington in its dispute with California over election procedures ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections.
The Justice Department had demanded that state election officials separate the disputed ballots and withhold them until the individuals involved established their citizenship.
However, California officials resisted the directive, arguing that the federal government lacked the authority to interfere with the state’s election administration.
The Supreme Court issued its decision on Monday without providing an explanation, following earlier rulings against the administration by lower courts.
No dissenting opinions were recorded among the justices.
The dispute intensified in October after the Justice Department delivered a USB drive containing names of approximately 20,000 people it alleged were non-citizens.
The agency gave election officials in Los Angeles and Sacramento just 48 hours to examine the records and isolate ballots associated with those individuals.
It also threatened legal action if the state failed to comply with its demands.
California officials rejected the request, questioning the reliability of the information and the process used to identify the alleged ineligible voters.
Voting rights organisations also challenged the government’s claims, accusing the administration of creating unnecessary uncertainty surrounding the upcoming elections.
Los Angeles County Clerk and Recorder Dean Logan said the Justice Department had failed to provide the evidence and methodology supporting its allegations.
An examination of the records by election officials reportedly revealed several possible inaccuracies, further intensifying concerns about the list.
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the Supreme Court’s decision.
Democratic leaders in California welcomed the ruling, describing it as an important defence of the state’s electoral authority.
Governor Gavin Newsom accused the Trump administration of launching an unjustified challenge against California’s election process.
He said the Supreme Court had rejected the administration’s attempt after its repeated defeats before lower courts.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta also welcomed the outcome but warned that the legal confrontation was not necessarily over.
He maintained that the decision should end Washington’s attempts to disrupt the state’s elections through emergency court applications.
The Justice Department had earlier threatened criminal prosecution against California election officials who counted ballots associated with individuals on its disputed list.
However, a federal judge blocked the administration from making such threats in a separate ruling on Friday.
The confrontation has also involved criminal investigations and subpoenas targeting California election officials over allegations of non-citizen voting.
The dispute forms part of President Trump’s wider campaign to increase federal oversight of American elections and investigate alleged voting irregularities involving non-citizens.
The administration has publicised arrests of dozens of people accused of registering and voting illegally in federal elections.
However, some individuals facing charges have reportedly lived in the United States as legal permanent residents for decades.
One of those arrested, Omar Muñoz, told The Guardian that he believed his arrest had been orchestrated to create publicity.
He also said he had not understood that his immigration status made him ineligible to vote.
The Justice Department has separately filed criminal charges against 28 green card holders in California over allegations of fraudulent voter registration and illegal voting.
Washington has also demanded that election officials in Washington state isolate ballots associated with people it suspects are non-citizens.
Meanwhile, Trump has floated a proposed $1 million reward for information about voter fraud that results in an arrest or conviction.
His administration maintains that stronger enforcement is necessary to protect the integrity of American elections.
However, available research indicates that non-citizen voting in US elections is extremely rare.
The Supreme Court’s latest decision adds another dimension to the growing legal battle over election administration, federal authority and voting rights ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.
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