Los Angeles – In a hearing that could shape the final weeks of the 2026 midterm election, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter indicated he may appoint a special master to review the Justice Department’s claim that roughly 20,000 California voters are illegal immigrants. The special master would assess the credibility of the federal list and determine whether counties could separate any ineligible ballots before the state’s Dec. 11 certification deadline.
Trump administration’s election‑security push
President Trump’s administration has repeatedly warned that illegal voting threatens the legitimacy of elections. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli told the court, “We want to stop the illegal voting,” and emphasized that the Justice Department is seeking to safeguard the election rather than discard ballots.
Essayli explained that the federal government’s request does not aim to void any votes, but to work with California officials to ensure that any ballots cast by non‑citizens are identified and handled according to law. He said the list of 20,000 names was compiled through a private data‑matching service that cross‑checked Social Security numbers.
Judge’s concerns and potential next steps
Judge Carter expressed caution about rushing to a decision without an independent review. He noted that appointing a special master could be completed before the Dec. 11 deadline, allowing the court to address both the federal government’s list and California’s claim that it cannot logistically separate ballots in time.
While the judge praised the administration’s intent to protect the election, he also warned against any threats to state and county election workers, stating, “This court believes it would be wise that any threats to state and county election employees cease immediately.”
California’s response
California officials argue that once a mail ballot is returned, it is separated from the envelope containing voter identification, making it impossible to pull individual ballots after they have been counted. More than 3 million ballots have already been returned, and the state contends that the federal list may be outdated or inaccurate.
Los Angeles County registrar’s attorney M. Patrick Moore said the county would cooperate if the federal government pursued criminal prosecution of any illegal voters, adding that “if an individual who is a non‑citizen votes, there will be a record of that, and the county will provide that record.”
Implications for the election
The outcome of a special master review could affect how California certifies its election results, though the 20,000 names represent only a small fraction of the state’s 23 million registered voters. The hearing also highlights the broader national debate over election integrity, a key focus for the Trump administration as it seeks to protect the constitutional right to vote while preventing unlawful participation.
Both parties agreed that any action must respect the rule of law and the constitutional protections afforded to all voters. The judge is expected to issue a formal order on Wednesday.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
