The US Supreme Court rejected the Justice Department’s request for emergency intervention in its effort to have 20,000 California mail-in ballots set aside while the administration appealed. The ruling came on the eve of the midterm elections.
The dispute centered on a list that included names of people who were not registered and others who appeared not to live in California. The Trump administration argued that the list pointed to noncitizens attempting to vote. Lower courts had rejected the effort before it reached the Supreme Court.
The court issued an unsigned order denying the application for an injunction pending appeal. No justice filed a dissent.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has opposed the Justice Department’s actions in court, wrote on social media that California would act if anyone interfered with its elections. He also said that a presidential pardon would not provide protection.
Sources: Deadline.