In a 2‑to‑1 decision, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a request from the Trump administration’s Justice Department to have California set aside disputed ballots. The ruling, issued by the appellate panel, is the latest setback for the administration’s efforts to assert control over state‑run elections.
The Justice Department had sought to compel California to invalidate a number of ballots that were contested in the state’s election process. The request was part of a broader strategy to challenge election results in several states.
By refusing to grant the request, the 9th Circuit reaffirmed the authority of state election officials to manage and certify ballots. The 2‑to‑1 split among the judges highlighted the contentious nature of the case.
California, the nation’s most populous state, has long been a focal point in discussions about election integrity and federal oversight. The decision underscores the judiciary’s role in maintaining the independence of state election processes.
With this ruling, the Trump administration faces another legal hurdle in its attempts to influence election outcomes across the United States.
<small>Source: PBS NewsHour — read the original story there.</small>
