DOJ moves to drop its lawsuit asking California to set aside alleged noncitizen ballots

November 6, 2026 / 8:39 PM EST / CBS/AP

The Justice Department on Friday moved to dismiss its own lawsuit that sought to stop California from counting roughly 20,000 ballots it alleged went to noncitizens until their immigration status could be verified.

The request to dismiss the case comes days after Republicans' significant losses in the midterm elections and about a week before a scheduled hearing where a special master was slated to evaluate the accuracy of the list. California officials have previously said the list is out of date and includes legitimate voters — a sentiment that the federal judge presiding over the case echoed in his blistering order denying the federal government's request.

The case was at the forefront of the Trump administration's effort to assert control over state-run elections across the country, which Mr. Trump has said are rife with illegal voting without providing evidence.

On Monday, on the eve of Election Day, the Supreme Court rejected an emergency appeal from the Justice Department to require California to separate mail ballots received from the approximately 20,000 people it alleged were noncitizens.

The Supreme Court rejected the appeal in a one-line, unsigned order.

The Justice Department remains enmeshed…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/