{
  "id": 17001406,
  "title": "Judge rejects US Justice Dept bid to block votes from alleged noncitizens in California",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/judge-rejects-us-justice-dept-bid-to-block-votes-from-alleged",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-29T03:46:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-29-judge-rejects-us-justice-dept-bid-to-block-votes-from-alleged-noncitizens-in-california/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A US judge strongly rejected the Trump administration's request on Wednesday to temporarily block California from counting mail ballots for the upcoming midterm elections from over 20,000 registered voters, whom the department alleges are likely noncitizens. US District Judge David Carter issued the decision after a hearing in Los Angeles federal court, rejecting the Justice Department's request for a restraining order. Never before has the federal government sought to coerce a state into abandoning its own constitutional election procedures, Carter wrote, emphasizing the risk of creating chaos and disenfranchising voters. The judge warned that a ruling in the administration's favor could erode trust in democracy, stating that once a vote is segregated, lasting harm has occurred. California's officials noted the state's robust safeguards against noncitizen voting and argued the Justice Department's assertions were based on suspect data, potentially disenfranchising eligible voters. The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit and appealed the decision to the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals.",
  "summary": "Oct 28 (Reuters) - A US judge strongly rebuked the Trump administration on Wednesday by rejecting a request by the Justice Department to temporarily block California from counting mail ballots for the midterm elections from more than 20,000 registered voters the department alleges are likely noncitizens.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian US",
        "title": "Judge rebuffs Trump DoJ’s bid to force California to set aside 20,000 ballots",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/judge-rebuffs-trump-dojs-bid-to-force-california-to-set-aside-20-000",
        "published": "2026-10-29T00:48:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Judge rejects DOJ's push to force California to set aside ballots",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/judge-rejects-dojs-push-to-force-california-to-set-aside-ballots",
        "published": "2026-10-29T00:59:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hill",
        "title": "DOJ's California ballot fight rejected by another judge",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/dojs-california-ballot-fight-rejected-by-another-judge",
        "published": "2026-10-29T00:59:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News (US)",
        "title": "Judge rejects Trump admin request for order to segregate 20,000 Calif. ballots",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/judge-rejects-trump-admin-request-for-order-to-segregate-20-000-calif",
        "published": "2026-10-29T01:06:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "US court rejects initial bid to block alleged non-citizen voting in California",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/us-court-rejects-initial-bid-to-block-alleged-non-citizen-voting-in",
        "published": "2026-10-29T01:32:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Le Monde English",
        "title": "US judge rejects Trump admin interference in California midterm vote",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/us-judge-rejects-trump-admin-interference-in-california-midterm-vote",
        "published": "2026-10-29T03:15:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}