Attorney General Bonta Scores Early Legal Victory Against Trump Administration’s Attempt to Interfere in California Elections

October 26, 2026 Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued the following statement after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit dismissed the Trump Administration’s request to segregate and not count any mail-in ballots that may be returned by approximately 20,000 individuals it “believes” are “likely” noncitizens. The federal government attempted to bypass normal court processes by seeking relief directly from the Ninth Circuit without first obtaining a trial court order. Attorney General Bonta strongly opposed the request, arguing that the Ninth Circuit had no authority to decide the issues at this early stage of the proceedings. He also argued that the federal government has no legal basis to override California’s election laws. The Ninth Circuit heard oral argument yesterday. At yesterday’s hearing, the Trump Administration was unable to explain where it obtained a list of purportedly registered California voters that appears to contain significant inaccuracies, how it used the list to identify approximately 20,000 individuals as “likely” noncitizens, or what role any unidentified non-governmental thi

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