WASHINGTON — In a loss for President Donald Trump, the Supreme Court on Monday swiftly rejected the administration’s request that California separate out up to 20,000 mail-in ballots that officials allege could be submitted by noncitizens.
In a brief order without explanation, the court turned away an emergency request the Trump administration filed just hours earlier in an unusual last-minute flurry of election litigation. Lower courts had also ruled against the Trump administration.
The court acted so quickly that it did not even ask California for its views first, as it normally does of the opposing party in such cases.
“This latest decision should put an end to the administration’s attempt to disrupt California’s elections through emergency court orders,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, said in a statement.
“But our work is not over. We will remain vigilant and keep fighting back against federal efforts to undermine our democracy,” he added.
The White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests seeking comment.
California officials had resisted the Justice Department’s intervention, noting that it is already illegal under state law for noncitizens to vote and expressing skepticism about whether the federal government’s information is accurate.
Separately, the administration has warned California election officials they could face prosecution if they allow noncitizens to vote. A federal judge told the Justice Department on Saturday to stop making such threats.
Although elections are administered exclusively by local officials, the Trump administration says it has grounds to intervene because there is a federal law that prohibits voting by noncitizens.
Supreme Court Quickly Rejects Trump Effort To Target Alleged Noncitizen Voters In California
