A federal judge has ruled that the Justice Department cannot segregate ballots from over 20,000 individuals in California identified as potential noncitizen voters. U.S. District Judge David O. Carter stated that the DOJ's request was made too late and lacked credibility, risking the disenfranchisement of eligible voters. This ruling is part of an ongoing legal dispute between California and the DOJ regarding voter registration issues that began in July. The DOJ has announced plans to appeal the decision.
Key facts
- U.S. District Judge David O. Carter ruled against the DOJ's request on October 28, 2026.
- The DOJ identified 20,000 potential noncitizen voters in California.
- The ruling stated that the request to segregate ballots was made too late.
- The DOJ has appealed the ruling to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Judge Carter emphasized that existing federal laws allow for the prosecution of noncitizens who vote.
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