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UpdateNationalWednesday, October 28, 2026

DOJ argued its voter roll letters have no legal effect in Democrats' lawsuit

Reporting by
Democracy Docket
“DOJ downplays voter roll threats to states to fend off Democrats’ election interference lawsuit”, Wednesday, October 28, 2026
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What happened

The Trump administration argued in federal court that DOJ letters threatening states over their voter rolls have no independent legal effect. The position was aimed at defeating an election interference lawsuit filed by Democrats. Democrats are seeking a restraining order in Washington, D.C., barring the administration from interfering in states' ability to conduct the midterms.1

DOJ has sued California to force it to set aside 20,000 ballots and identified another 17,000 people it claims are illegally registered there. DOJ preemptively sued Alaska to block certification of U.S. Senate results if the Republican incumbent loses.1

20,000
ballots DOJ sued California to set aside1
17,000
people DOJ claims are illegally registered in California1
What it means

What this means for certification

A federal judge is being asked to rule on the restraining order request.1

More on this story
National · Oct 30
Trump administration issued over 100 subpoenas for voting data in 13 states
Reporting by Democracy Docket on Bluesky
National · Oct 29
Federal courts blocked Trump administration attempts to change midterm rules
Reporting by Election Law Blog (Rick Hasen)
The answers behind this
Who runs elections, and who can't interfereCan the president stop a state from counting votes or certifying?What protects the result if someone tries to interfere after the vote?

Explore this issue

OverviewUpdates In depthTrump administration issued over 100 subpoenas for voting data in 13 states In depthFederal judge warned that segregating votes based on unproven claims harms democracy In depthFederal election monitors deployed to Virginia, not Richmond area In depthSome Bexar County voters say their names appear inactive or missing In depthEarly voting ended Oct. 30 in Wilson County, Texas In depthIowa election officials assured voters of secure 2026 count In depthFederal court rules DOJ voter data demands violate privacy and state authority In depthICE investigated hundreds of voter registration groups across the U.S. In depthSupreme Court allowed resumed use of expanded citizenship verification system In depthFederal judge dismissed challenge to Florida voter registration law In depthJudge blocks Trump effort to tie anti-terror funds to election rules In depthWisconsin Supreme Court will hear case on extended polling hours

Sources

  1. Democracy Docket, https://democracydocket.com/news-alerts/doj-downplays-voter-roll-threats-to-states-to-fend-off-democrats-election-interference-lawsuit · Wednesday, October 28, 2026

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