US appeals court again rejects Trump bid to set aside California ballots

Ballots the administration wanted set aside

20,000 ballots

For the second time in less than a week, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals refused to let the Trump administration set aside nearly 20,000 California ballots over concerns about non-citizen voting. California says no proof has been given that the names on the list are foreign nationals.

The court said the request would violate the US Constitution and risk disenfranchising eligible voters. Two judges formed the majority; Judge Patrick Bumatay dissented, calling it a reasonable request.

The consequence of the United States's request is not merely ballot segregation, but ultimately both the cancellation of the ballot and the removal of voters from the voting rolls.

— 9th Circuit majority

California

California votes in the midterm elections on Nov 3 and will elect 52 members of the US House of Representatives.