They targeted 20,000 California votes. Courts said no. DOJ quit.
The Justice Department asked courts to set aside 20,000 California ballots. It wanted those votes set aside while it challenged whether some voters were citizens.
Judges said no, from trial court to Supreme Court. On Nov. 6, the department moved to drop the bid, as USA Today reported. California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the drop the same day.
They tried to set aside 20,000 votes. President Trump has alleged, without evidence, that noncitizens are swaying results. On Oct. 28, U.S. District Judge David Carter refused to order ballots held aside on the eve of voting. On Oct. 30, a divided 9th Circuit panel refused too. On Nov. 2, the Supreme Court declined the emergency request, and none of the justices publicly dissented. Four days later, Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie A. Hamill wrote that “the relief the United States sought and needed is no longer available.” The filing did not concede the underlying claim about voter eligibility.
California also argued the demand was unworkable and unlawful because states, not the executive branch, run elections.
Courts stopped a last‑minute plan to sideline thousands of lawful ballots.
You do not have to be a Democrat to want the same rule for everyone. If leaders can sideline 20,000 votes today, they can sideline yours next.
The next test comes as states certify results before the new Congress is sworn in Jan. 3. Watch who accepts the count and who tries to stop it.
Count the votes. Not the spin.
- Share this with a neighbor who thinks their vote can’t be messed with
- Ask your local election office how they secure and certify ballots
- Ask your members of Congress whether they will press the Justice Department on why it brought this case
- Check your voter registration at Vote.gov
Countdown
The swearing-in of the new Congress is in 56 days.
References
UPDATE: Justice Department drops its bid to set aside 20,000 California ballots . Nov 2, 2026
UPDATE: Justice Department drops its bid to set aside 20,000 California ballots . Nov 6, 2026
California AG Bonta announces DOJ drops lawsuit over 20,000 ballots . Nov 6, 2026