Justice Department Drops Ballot Lawsuit Against California
Justice Department drops lawsuit over 20,000 non-citizen ballots in California after Supreme Court denial.
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The U.S. Justice Department has dropped its lawsuit against California over 20,000 ballots mailed to non-citizens following the Supreme Court’s denial of its last-minute request to segregate the ballots. The case, which had been in legal limbo for weeks, was dismissed after the Supreme Court rejected the administration’s bid to force California to separate the contested ballots from valid votes.
Legal Battle Over Voting Rights
The Department of Justice had initially sued California and Los Angeles County, alleging that 20,000 ballots were sent to non-citizens, violating federal law that prohibits aliens from voting in federal elections. The Justice Department argued that these ballots needed to be segregated to protect the integrity of the voting process.
During the legal battle, the Department of Justice compared voter rolls to records from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Social Security, and passport databases. The case eventually reached the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, where the DOJ’s request to segregate the ballots was rejected. The Supreme Court later denied the Trump administration’s emergency petition to force segregation, effectively ending the legal fight.
Supreme Court Denies Request
In an unsigned order, the Supreme Court denied the DOJ’s request for an injunction pending appeal, leaving the administration without a legal avenue to separate the contested ballots. The DOJ then announced its decision to voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit, citing the lack of available relief and the irretrievability of the ballots once they had been mixed with valid votes.
“In light of the Supreme Court’s denial, the United States is evaluating how to best ensure that American votes are protected,” the DOJ stated in a court filing. The department emphasized its commitment to preventing vote dilution by non-citizens and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
Broader Implications for Voting Integrity
The case highlights the ongoing legal and political tensions surrounding voter registration and the rights of non-citizens to participate in elections. While the DOJ’s lawsuit was aimed at upholding federal law, the Supreme Court’s decision underscored the limits of judicial intervention in such matters.
As the legal battle concludes, the focus now shifts to ensuring that the integrity of the voting process is preserved, with the DOJ continuing to assess its options for safeguarding American votes.
Source: The Gateway Pundit
