Judge Lets 4 States Ignore DHS Ballot-Screening Demands Before Midterms
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Nov 3
Judge Lets 4 States Ignore DHS Ballot-Screening Demands Before Midterms
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Nov 3
Summary
Judge James E. Boasberg refused to block the Trump administration’s late push to pressure states into screening incoming ballots and potentially disqualifying voters before the midterms.
Four targeted states — California, Nevada, Washington and Pennsylvania — had already largely rebuffed Homeland Security letters alleging noncitizen registrations, leading Boasberg to find no direct harm requiring immediate court intervention.
Justice Department lawyers told the court last week that states were free to ignore the DHS letters, undercutting claims that federal threats alone would force changes to voting procedures.
Boasberg wrote that states are not “bit players” in federal elections and said their constitutional authority to resist the administration’s voter-fraud claims remained intact unless officials began to capitulate.