The Trump administration filed a lawsuit against California in October 2026 over concerns surrounding the state’s voter registration records. The Department of Justice (DOJ) identified more than 20,000 individuals who federal authorities believed were potentially noncitizens but appeared on California’s voter registration list. The lawsuit raised questions about voter eligibility, election security, and the division of authority between state and federal governments.
According to the DOJ, federal agencies compared voter registration records with federal immigration information to identify individuals who might not meet citizenship requirements. The administration argued that California had failed to investigate these individuals properly. It asked state election officials to separate ballots associated with them and temporarily withhold them from counting until their citizenship could be verified.
Under federal law, noncitizens cannot vote in federal elections, including presidential and congressional races. California also requires voters to be U.S. citizens. However, the state automatically mails ballots to all registered voters through its vote-by-mail system. Receiving a ballot does not establish voting eligibility.
California officials challenged the administration’s request, questioning the accuracy of the federal government’s list. State officials argued that the information could incorrectly identify eligible American citizens as noncitizens. They also raised concerns about separating thousands of ballots before an election, particularly if eligible voters were included mistakenly.
On October 28, 2026, a federal judge rejected the administration’s request to temporarily separate the ballots. The judge raised concerns about the reliability of the federal government’s information and the potential consequences for eligible voters. The administration subsequently appealed the decision and requested intervention per the Supreme Court. Following this, on November 2, the Supreme Court rejected the request, allowing California election procedures to continue without the proposed restrictions.
On November 6, the DOJ voluntarily dismissed its lawsuit against California. The administration explained that the November 3 midterm elections had concluded, meaning its original request could no longer be carried out as intended.
The lawsuit highlighted ongoing disagreements about election oversight and government authority. Although federal law established citizenship requirements, it demonstrated how disagreements over voter eligibility, information accuracy, and election procedures can develop into legal conflicts between state and federal governments.