9th Circuit Rejects DOJ Bid to Set Aside California Ballots
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a Justice Department request to force California to set aside disputed ballots from the midterm election, ruling that it would be infeasible and could cause catastrophic effects on the voting system.
Tucson, AZ, October 30, 2026 —
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has denied a request from the Justice Department that sought to compel California to set aside disputed ballots from the midterm election. The federal appellate court ruled against the department’s petition, citing concerns that such an action would be infeasible and could lead to severe, catastrophic consequences for the state’s voting system.
The Justice Department had sought an order to isolate and potentially discard ballots that were under contention. However, the court found that implementing such a measure after the election had concluded would present significant logistical challenges. Furthermore, the judges expressed apprehension about the broader implications of the request, suggesting it could undermine public confidence and the integrity of the electoral process.
The ruling emphasizes the court’s assessment of the practical difficulties and potential widespread damage to the election infrastructure that could result from forcing California to segregate disputed ballots retroactively. The details of the specific ballots in question and the exact nature of the disputes were not fully elaborated in the court’s decision, nor was the specific timeframe of the Justice Department’s request. The ruling from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals provides a definitive stance against the Justice Department’s intervention in this specific ballot handling matter.
Story summarized from the original created by AP via Scripps News Group on www.kgun9.com, see more information here.
