The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to segregate ballots of 20,000 California voters
The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to order California to set aside mail ballots from about 20,000 voters it says may not be citizens, on the eve of the Nov. 3 midterms. Solicitor General D. John Sauer sought a limited injunction while litigation continues. A district judge and divided 9th Circuit panel had rejected the request, citing disenfranchisement risks.
More context
On Monday, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to segregate ballots associated with roughly 20,000 California voters it believes may not be U.S. citizens, one day before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Solicitor General D. John Sauer sought a “limited injunction” directing state officials to keep the ballots separate from other ballots while litigation continues, saying this would allow time to verify eligibility without canceling votes.
The request follows rejections by a federal district judge and a divided 9th Circuit Court of Appeals panel. The appeals court said granting the requested relief could risk disenfranchising eligible voters. California officials have questioned the accuracy of the voter list and raised concerns that eligible voters could be disenfranchised.
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Reporting
- The Washington Post — Trump administration asks Supreme Court to set aside 20,000 California ballots for now - The Washington Post
- The New York Times — Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Intervene in California Ballot Case - The New York Times
- Los Angeles Times — Trump lawyers ask Supreme Court to set aside 20,000 California ballots - Los Angeles Times
- CBS News — Trump asks Supreme Court to intervene in bid to get California to set aside ballots from 20,000 alleged noncitizens - CBS News
- ABC7 Los Angeles — Trump administration appeals to Supreme Court in push to sideline 20,000 California mail ballots - ABC7 Los Angeles
- CNBC — Trump administration asks Supreme Court to hear California mail-in ballot appeal
- Axios — Trump administration turns to SCOTUS in California ballot case
- National Public Radio — DOJ asks Supreme Court to weigh in on California ballot demands : NPR
Verifier’s note
The Washington Post, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, CBS News, ABC7, CNBC, Axios, and NPR report the administration’s Supreme Court effort over roughly 20,000 California ballots. These reports are all dated November 2, 2026, consistent with the proposed event’s timing.