Trump administration's last-minute request rejected

The US Supreme Court has rejected a request from the Trump administration asking it to intervene in California's midterm election vote count. The justice department wanted twenty thousand ballots set aside.

Why the administration wanted ballots removed

The justice department alleged the twenty thousand ballots may have been issued to non-US citizens. It maintained that ballots cast by non-citizens could debase or dilute valid votes.

California officials disputed the government's claims

State election officials questioned the accuracy of the government's list, saying it was riddled with inaccuracies. They expressed concern that eligible voters could be disenfranchised and segregating ballots mid-election was unfeasible.

Judge called it election interference

District judge David Carter said the government's move was indicative of an ongoing pattern of attempted election interference.

“never before in American history has the federal government, on the eve of an election, sought to coerce a state and local government to abandon their own constitutional elections procedures and bend to the will of the executive branch”

Supreme Court's one-line decision ends the bid

The Supreme Court announced its decision in a one-line order denying the justice department's request for an injunction.

“The application for injunction pending appeal presented to Justice Kagan and by her referred to the Court is denied”