Celebrate Appeals Court for Protecting California Voters

A federal appeals court has delivered an important victory for voting rights! The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the Trump administration's attempt to prevent California from counting thousands of mail-in ballots, protecting the state's ability to administer its elections without unnecessary federal interference.

The Trump Justice Department had demanded that California election officials separate the ballots of approximately 20,000 registered voters it claimed were noncitizens until their citizenship could be verified. But serious questions have emerged about the accuracy of the administration's list. When Los Angeles election officials examined a sample of 200 people flagged by the Justice Department, they found that a high percentage were actually born in the United States. California officials also criticized the federal government for failing to provide sufficient evidence to support its allegations.

Rather than comply with the administration's demands, California election officials stood their ground. The Justice Department took the dispute to court, but the Ninth Circuit ruled 2-1 against its request, allowing California to continue counting ballots without the restrictions the administration sought. California Attorney General Rob Bonta celebrated the decision as a victory for voting rights, while Governor Gavin Newsom praised the ruling as an important setback to federal interference in elections.

This decision comes at a critical moment, with the November midterm elections just days away. By rejecting the administration's attempt to restrict ballot counting based on disputed voter data, the court has helped protect the integrity of California's election process. The ruling is a reminder that eligible voters deserve to have their ballots counted and that allegations about voter eligibility must be supported by reliable evidence.

Add your name to celebrate the Ninth Circuit's decision, applaud California officials for defending voters, and support the protection of every eligible American's right to have their ballot counted!