A US appeals court has denied a request from the Trump administration to block California from counting mail-in ballots from over 20,000 registered voters identified as likely noncitizens. This ruling comes as the state prepares for the upcoming midterm elections on November 3, where Republicans aim to maintain congressional control.
The decision from the San Francisco-based ninth US circuit court of appeals represents a setback for the Trump administration's efforts to increase federal oversight of elections. Local election officials in California had been instructed to verify these ballots amid the ongoing dispute.
With the midterms approaching, watch how California's election officials handle the verification process for these ballots. The ruling could influence voter turnout and strategies from both parties as they navigate the contentious landscape of mail-in voting.