Federal Judge Orders Trump Administration to List States Pressed Over Non-Citizen Voting

Federal Judge James Boasberg ordered the Trump administration to submit a complete list of states that received pressure from the Department of Justice regarding non-citizen voting. The court set a Friday deadline for the government to identify every state where officials sent letters threatening criminal proceedings if non-citizens remained on voter rolls. The ruling arrived as Democratic leaders challenged the administration's efforts to influence midterm elections.

Boasberg indicated he intends to issue a ruling on Monday, the day before the November 3 election. The decision will address a request from Democratic leaders to halt the administration's interference with state electoral processes. However, the judge noted the administration could render the process moot at any time. They can do so by filing a notice stating they will not engage in the election-related conduct challenged by the plaintiffs.

The lawsuit, filed on October 20 by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, seeks to stop the administration from removing legally registered voters or preventing states from issuing and counting ballots. The plaintiffs are demanding an order that blocks the executive branch from disrupting state-level voting operations.

The dispute centers on letters from the Justice Department sent to election officials in California and Washington. These letters threatened prosecution if states knowingly kept non-citizens on their voter registration lists. The government argues these letters merely notify states of potential federal law violations. Christian Dibblee, a Justice Department attorney, told the court, "Eso depende de ellos. Es su decisión."

Boasberg expressed doubt about whether the Democratic plaintiffs have the necessary legal standing to bring the suit. He noted that the administration's letters do not force states to act unless the federal government obtains a court order. The judge acknowledged the government's concerns were legitimate but questioned if the plaintiffs had the authority to sue.

The administration contends the lawsuits are too broad and vague, preventing it from fulfilling its constitutional duty to enforce federal laws. Conversely, the plaintiffs' attorney, Uzoma Nkwonta, urged the judge to stop what he called an unprecedented campaign to interfere with state functions. Boasberg, nominated by Barack Obama, has faced criticism from the White House for previous rulings against the Trump administration.

The lawsuit names President Trump, the Department of Justice, Attorney General Todd Blanche, the Department of Homeland Security, and Secretary Markwayne Mullin as defendants. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and the Democratic Governors Association are also plaintiffs in the case.