NRT briefing
Judge Orders DOJ to Stop Pressuring California Election Officials
Based on reporting by CBS News.
The Brief
U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson on Friday ordered the Justice Department to stop demanding that California election officials segregate ballots or threaten criminal prosecution for noncompliance. The temporary restraining order, issued after a lawsuit by labor unions, found the federal actions likely violated the Voting Rights Act and exceeded authority.
The ruling follows another judge's denial of a DOJ request to set aside over 20,000 ballots, which the administration has appealed. Thompson's order expires Nov. 16, with a hearing Nov. 13, and requires DOJ to disclose upcoming subpoenas. The DOJ has not commented.
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