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US justice department drops California mail-in ballot lawsuit

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Ongoing: US mid-terms Hot

The Trump administration ended its bid to stop California counting mail-in ballots from more than 20,000 registered voters. Federal officials had alleged the voters were probably not US citizens. The department filed its notice of dismissal on Friday, after Democrats won comfortably in the state.

The US justice department filed a notice of voluntary dismissal after Democrats won comfortable margins in California's statewide contests and most of its congressional races in the midterm elections. The department said in the notice that the relief it sought was no longer available now that votes had been tallied.

The department had argued that the contested ballots could not be separated from other votes once officials accepted them. It said this made quick action necessary. On the Monday before the election, the Supreme Court rejected a bid to temporarily block California from counting the ballots on the department's list.

US district judge David Carter appeared sceptical of the lawsuit. He said the request could disenfranchise and confuse legitimate voters. He described it as a major change to election procedures while voting was already under way.

Key facts

Who
David Carter (US district judge who appeared sceptical of the department's lawsuit); US justice department (filed the notice of voluntary dismissal of the lawsuit); Trump administration (brought the lawsuit against California); Supreme Court (rejected a bid to temporarily block California from counting the ballots)
What
The US justice department filed a notice of voluntary dismissal on Friday, after Democrats won comfortable margins in California's statewide contests and most congressional races in the midterm elections. The Supreme Court had rejected a bid to temporarily block the counting on the Monday before the election.
When
6 November 2026
Where
California
Status
Reported

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