Judge in L.A. weighs feds' request to block 20,000 California votes with skepticism
Los Angeles Times
Last updated: October 28, 2026
A federal judge in Los Angeles is reviewing a request by the Trump administration to block approximately 20,000 votes in California. The ballots in question are from voters whose U.S. citizenship is being questioned by the administration. The judge has indicated skepticism but will defer his ruling until Wednesday.
- The U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of the Trump administration, has asked for an injunction to prevent California officials from counting these ballots. The administration's concern centers on the citizenship status of these voters, suggesting potential eligibility issues.
- Judge David O. Carter presided over the hearing where this request was presented. He expressed reservations about granting the immediate injunction sought by the federal government.
- The judge's skepticism suggests he may be questioning the legal basis or the urgency of the administration's request to disenfranchise these votes before the count is finalized.
- Despite his apparent skepticism, Judge Carter announced that a decision on whether to grant the injunction will not be made until Wednesday. This delay allows for further consideration of the arguments presented by both sides.
- The case involves a significant number of ballots, approximately 20,000, which could have implications for election outcomes if they are ultimately blocked from being counted.
