Justice Department Appeals to Supreme Court Over California Voter Roll Dispute

Supreme Court Intervention Sought

The U.S. Supreme Court faces a request from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to intervene in a dispute with California concerning voter rolls. This action follows a federal district court and a divided 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejecting the DOJ’s request to stop processing certain ballots. The appeal, filed just a day before Election Day, seeks high court involvement.

Ballots and Citizenship Concerns

The DOJ claims 20,000 individuals on California’s voter roll may not be citizens. The department argues these ballots should be held until citizenship is validated. However, courts have supported California’s stance, citing that the federal list is flawed and altering systems during voting is impractical.

Legal Precedents Uphold State Authority

Judges Mark Bennett and Gabriel Sanchez highlighted the Purcell principle, which advises against last-minute election rule changes. They emphasized the Constitution grants states the right to manage elections. They also referenced the National Voter Registration Act, preventing voter list changes close to federal elections.

Dispute Over Ballot Validity and DOJ’s Actions

The number of disputed ballots might be less than 20,000, as many individuals identified by the DOJ lack active voter registrations. The DOJ has increased pressure on California officials, warning of potential criminal charges and issuing grand jury subpoenas to Los Angeles County election employees.