Appeals Panel Questions Lawsuit Targeting California Mail-In Ballots
A federal appeals court panel appeared skeptical during arguments regarding a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration that sought to compel California election officials to set aside thousands of mail-in ballots from individuals suspected of being noncitizens, questioning the lawsuit's…
Omaha, NE, October 26, 2026 —
A federal appeals court panel appeared skeptical during arguments over a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration seeking to compel California election officials to set aside thousands of mail-in ballots cast by people suspected of being noncitizens.
The panel questioned the lawsuit’s timing, its constitutionality and whether the federal government had authority to seek the requested action. The summary of the arguments does not specify the judges’ questions or provide further detail about the legal claims.
The case concerns ballots associated with individuals suspected of being noncitizens. The information provided does not establish that those individuals were noncitizens or that any ballots were ultimately set aside. It also does not identify how many ballots are at issue beyond describing them as thousands.
The available information does not state when the arguments took place, which federal appeals court heard the case, or what state or federal officials argued. It also does not provide a ruling, a timeline for a decision or details about the lawsuit’s procedural history. The panel’s skepticism during arguments does not, by itself, establish how the court will rule.
The dispute raises questions about the administration’s effort to require state election officials to take action involving ballots and about the legal basis for that request. However, the information provided does not explain the administration’s specific legal arguments, the constitutional provisions at issue or the panel’s reasoning.
No outcome was included in the summary. Whether the panel will grant the administration’s request, reject it or take another action remains unspecified.
Story summarized from the original created by AP via Scripps News Group on www.3newsnow.com, see more information here.
