Appeals Court Skeptical of Justice Department Bid to Block California Ballots

Federal judges questioned the Justice Department's emergency effort to block thousands of California mail ballots.

Federal appellate judges questioned the timing and legality of a Justice Department request to prevent California from counting 20,000 mail-in ballots. The administration's legal action attempts to force election officials to set aside votes it alleges were cast by noncitizens. This latest court battle builds on an earlier federal crackdown involving voter fraud charges against permanent residents in the state.

• The legal challengeThe Justice Department intervened to stop the counting of 20000 mail ballots over noncitizen voting claims.
• The judicial responseA federal appeals panel questioned the constitutional authority and timing behind the government's demand.