On the eve of Election Day, the Trump administration has petitioned the Supreme Court to prevent California from counting mail-in ballots from about 20,000 voters whom the Department of Justice (DOJ) claims may not be U.S. citizens. This action follows a rejection by the 9th Circuit U.S.
Court of Appeals of the DOJ's attempt to overturn a lower court ruling that allowed these ballots to be counted. Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued that the United States has identified these individuals based on publicly available information and that their inclusion in the ballot count could violate federal laws.
The DOJ's lawsuit, initiated on October 15, sought to ensure that ballots from individuals whose citizenship status is uncertain are not counted until verified. A federal judge previously ruled against the DOJ, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process and the sovereignty of California's election procedures.
The outcome of this legal battle could significantly impact the midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress, as the Supreme Court's decision could influence voter turnout and the legitimacy of the election results in California