Appeals court rejects DOJ bid to set aside disputed California ballots

What happened: The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the Justice Department's request in a 2-1 ruling concerning disputed California ballots. The DOJ has alleged California sent ballots to some 20,000 people who may not be U.S. Why it matters: The panel found no clear error in the district court's conclusion that there is no feasible way to segregate the ballots without potentially catastrophic effects on the entire system. The ruling is the latest setback for the administration's efforts to assert control over state-run elections.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the Justice Department's request in a 2-1 ruling concerning disputed California ballots. The DOJ has alleged California sent ballots to some 20,000 people who may not be U.S.

The panel found no clear error in the district court's conclusion that there is no feasible way to segregate the ballots without potentially catastrophic effects on the entire system. The ruling is the latest setback for the administration's efforts to assert control over state-run elections.