Full Breakdown
Appeals Court Skeptical of DOJ Lawsuit Targeting California Mail-in Ballots
By Drooid · · How we work
Court Challenges to the DOJ Complaint
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit heard oral arguments on a weekend, with Judge Mark Bennett expressing doubt that the Justice Department’s request aligns with the Elections Clause, which gives states authority over elections. The panel is expected to issue a decision “as soon as possible.” The lawsuit, filed on October 15, asks a federal court to invalidate thousands of California mail-in ballots that the Justice Department says were sent to “likely noncitizens.” The complaint includes a list of roughly 20,000 names the department believes are ineligible to vote.
Legal and Constitutional Context
The Elections Clause of the U.S. Constitution reserves the administration of elections to the states, a point highlighted by the judge’s questioning of an injunction that would overturn California’s legislature-adopted rules. The Trump administration has framed the action as a crackdown on alleged noncitizen voting ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, continuing a broader effort to challenge voting practices in a state it characterizes as a Democratic stronghold.
Official Statements & Responses
The Justice Department, represented by lawyer Matthew Donnelly, maintains that the list reflects genuine concerns about voter eligibility. California countered that its existing safeguards already prevent noncitizens from voting and described the DOJ’s data as “dubious.” Governor Gavin Newsom asserted that the state will continue to conduct “free and fair elections” and criticized the lawsuit as a politically motivated attempt to suppress voters.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It seems to me that you want us to issue an injunction that is entirely inconsistent with the law that the California legislature has adopted pursuant to the Elections Clause,” — Mark Bennett, circuit judge
- “This is a sad, desperate attempt by Trump to use his politicized Justice Department to try to suppress California voters just three weeks before Election Day,” — California Governor Gavin Newsom