Judge orders Trump administration to stop threatening election officials
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to stop intimidating election officials who refuse to follow its instructions on handling ballots during the November 3 midterms.
In July, the DOJ sent letters to all 50 states warning that election officers allowing non-citizens to vote could face criminal liability. Last month, the agency contacted California counties demanding identification of illegal aliens on voter lists or potential legal action.
Court Ruling
On Friday, US District Judge Trina Thompson ruled the Trump administration was operating outside its constitutional authority and likely violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits "attempting to intimidate, threaten or coerce" election officials.
Although Defendants claim that their actions are designed to halt unlawful voting by non-citizens, their actions are likely to have the effect of interfering with election administration and disenfranchising lawful voters.
DOJ Response
The judge issued a temporary restraining order that expires on November 16. Later Saturday, the DOJ challenged Thompson's decision at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, claiming the judge "issued an order against the federal government without even waiting to hear from the US."
The Trump administration recently lost an appeal against another federal judge who denied the DOJ's request to block more than 20,000 ballots from alleged non-citizens in California, arguing it "violates longstanding constitutional principles mandating that states have control over their elections."
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