9th Circuit Rejects DOJ Bid to Halt 20,000 California Ballots

9th Circuit Rejects DOJ Bid to Halt 20,000 California Ballots

Politics
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On October 26, 2026, a three-judge panel of the 9th U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the Justice Department’s emergency appeal to halt the counting of roughly 20,000 mail-in ballots in California and sent the case back to the district court.

The decision ended the DOJ’s bid to pause ballot processing pending verification of alleged non-citizen votes. The ruling followed a series of earlier actions, beginning with California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s condemnation of the DOJ’s request to verify the ballots as politicized, and a warning from Los Angeles federal prosecutor Bill Essayli that non-citizens had likely already voted. The Ninth Circuit had earlier convened an emergency hearing and questioned the department’s authority to intervene in state ballot processing.

Actors

Rob Bonta U.S. Department of Justice President Donald Trump Governor Gavin Newsom Congressman Pete Aguilar Department of Homeland Security California counties

Locations

California, United States Los Angeles, California, United States Washington, D.C., United States

Fact Check

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Verdict: Insufficient evidence Confidence: 22% Claims: 1
At a glance

There is not enough evidence to verify the claim that on October 25, 2026, California Attorney General Rob Bonta condemned a Justice Department request to verify about 20,000 ballots alleged to belong to noncitizens. No claims were confirmed, partially confirmed, or refuted.

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This section contains an automated verification of claims against external sources and may contain inaccuracies.

Articles

October 26, 2026
2 total
9th Circuit Court Blocks DOJ Attempt to Suspend 20,000 California Mail Ballots
9th Circuit Court Blocks DOJ Attempt to Suspend 20,000 California Mail Ballots

CNN • 26 Oct 22:30

A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the Justice Department's emergency appeal to halt the counting of roughly 20,000 mail-in ballots in California, sending the case back to the district court.

Credibility 78% Manip. 9% Center
9th Circuit hears emergency DOJ request over California ballot processing
9th Circuit hears emergency DOJ request over California ballot processing

Los Angeles Times • 26 Oct 10:00

A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals convened an emergency hearing after the Justice Department sought an injunction to halt ballot processing in Los Angeles County.

Credibility 72% Manip. 48% Left
October 25, 2026
3 total
9th Circuit Judges Probe Justice Department Request to Halt Counting of 20,000 California Ballots
9th Circuit Judges Probe Justice Department Request to Halt Counting of 20,000 California Ballots

Los Angeles Times • 25 Oct 22:54

A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals questioned the Justice Department's emergency request to stop counting 20,000 California ballots flagged as possibly cast by non-citizens, raising concerns about constitutional authority and jurisdiction.

Credibility 78% Manip. 10% Center
Los Angeles federal prosecutor warns of possible non-citizen voting as ballot dispute heads to court
Los Angeles federal prosecutor warns of possible non-citizen voting as ballot dispute heads to court

New York Post • 25 Oct 13:00

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said it is highly likely that non-citizens have already voted in Los Angeles County and urged the Ninth Circuit to require California to set aside disputed ballots pending verification.

Credibility 68% Manip. 45% Right
California Attorney General Criticizes DOJ Directive to Verify Noncitizen Ballots
California Attorney General Criticizes DOJ Directive to Verify Noncitizen Ballots

The Guardian • 25 Oct 01:05

California Attorney General Rob Bonta condemned a Justice Department request to verify about 20,000 ballots alleged to belong to noncitizens, calling the move politicized and improper.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Left

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