They tried to sideline 20,000 voters. The Court said no.

20,000 California voters were at risk of being left out of the count this week. The Trump Justice Department asked courts to make the state set aside their mail ballots based on a federal list of “likely” noncitizens. On Monday, the Supreme Court denied that emergency bid in a one-line, unsigned order with no dissents on the eve of the midterms.

The demand rested on a list a federal judge called riddled with errors.

Lower courts had already said no. U.S. District Judge David Carter found the government’s identification method “rife with uncertainty and errors.” A divided appeals panel refused the request. California officials warned the federal list could sweep in U.S. citizens. Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued that once ballots were mixed in, they could not be pulled back. In Washington state, when federal prosecutors demanded 400 ballots be set aside, the secretary of state said many names on that list were actually citizens. The Trump administration also sued to block Alaska from certifying its Senate race if the Republican candidate lost. A judge tossed that case. Trump officials made last-minute moves that risked throwing lawful votes aside. The Supreme Court’s denial did not decide the broader case. It gave no reason and noted no dissents. The justices did not ask California to respond before ruling. The Justice Department says it is enforcing the law to prevent noncitizen voting, which is illegal. But courts at every level rejected this request.

If you believe in secure elections, reject error-filled lists and last-minute demands that can toss lawful votes. Today, pick officials who count every lawful ballot and stop these games. They can flood the air with ads. You can cast a ballot. Use it.

• Check your voter registration and mail-ballot status on your county website today
• Ask your county clerk if they received any federal “likely noncitizen” list and how they protected lawful voters
• Bring a friend to vote today and help choose officials who will count every lawful ballot
• Check your voter registration at Vote.gov

Countdown

The 2026 midterms were 4 days ago.

References

CBS News: Supreme Court denies DOJ bid to make California set aside ballots of 20,000 alleged noncitizens. Nov 2, 2026
Reuters: Supreme Court denies DOJ bid to make California set aside ballots of 20,000 alleged noncitizens. Nov 2, 2026
CNBC: Supreme Court denies DOJ bid to make California set aside ballots of 20,000 alleged noncitizens. Nov 2, 2026