Noncitizen voting claims: Judge orders Trump administration to name contacted states

A US federal judge ordered the Trump administration to list every state contacted about efforts to stop non-US citizens voting in the midterm election. Democrats said the push crossed legal lines and threatened state control of voting. Chief Judge James Boasberg also set a fast schedule to review a request to block federal action before Election Day.

Representative image

Boasberg said a ruling was planned by Monday, the day before Election Day. The order followed a suit by Democratic Party leaders filed on October 20 in US district court. The case aimed to stop President Donald Trumps administration from affecting how states run elections and manage voter lists.

Midterm election lawsuit and judge’s timetable

The Democratic plaintiffs asked for an order stopping the administration from removing legally registered voters. They also sought to prevent any move to stop states issuing ballots. The request further covered steps that could block officials from counting ballots. The judge said the administration could end the dispute by filing notice.

Boasberg also directed the administration to hand over a list by Friday. The list was to show which state officials received Justice Department letters. The judge and the plaintiffs focused on whether states beyond California and Washington were contacted. The letters warned of criminal prosecution for knowingly keeping noncitizens on statewide lists.

Justice Department letters and midterm election claims

At the hearing, Boasberg questioned whether the Democratic groups could sue at all. Boasberg said the larger challenge was legal standing. "I dont doubt you have legitimate concerns,\" the judge said. \"The harder question for me is your standing to do it.\"

Justice Department attorney Christian Dibblee argued the letters did not force action. \"Thats up to them. Thats their own choice,\" Christian Dibblee said. \"It just notifies them of a potential violation of federal law.\" The administration also said the Democratic request was too broad and unclear.

California case and midterm election mail ballot dispute

The lawsuit pointed to federal action in California as a key example. The Justice Department sued to stop state officials counting some mail ballots. The federal government said those ballots were cast by people it identified as likely noncitizens. The department sought a pause until immigration status could be confirmed.

A federal judge on Wednesday ruled for California in that case. The Justice Department appealed the decision straight away. Administration lawyers said the government had evidence that non-citizens had voted or would vote illegally. However, state reviews and federal investigations showed such voting was extremely rare.

Democratic plaintiffs and Trump administration defendants

The plaintiffs included Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Other groups joined, including the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The Democratic Governors Association also signed on. Plaintiffs lawyer Uzoma Nkwonta urged the judge to stop federal interference.

Named defendants included Trump, the Justice Department and Attorney General Todd Blanche. The Department of Homeland Security was also listed, along with its secretary, Markwayne Mullin. The case asked the court to protect state election procedures from federal pressure. It also aimed to shield registered voters from removal efforts.

Boasberg, appointed by Democratic President Barack Obama, has faced strong criticism from the White House. Trump and allies called for impeachment last year after Boasberg blocked use of the Alien Enemies Act. That ruling stopped deportation flights of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador. The new case now turns on standing and the planned Monday ruling.

With inputs from PTI