US appeals court sceptical of Trump’s lawsuit over California voter rolls

A US appeals court expressed doubt about the Justice Department’s lawsuit against California, which seeks to set aside thousands of mail-in ballots linked to people deemed likely to be noncitizens. Judge Mark Bennett cited the Constitution’s Elections Clause, which gives states—not the federal government—authority to administer elections, and said the three-judge panel would issue its decision soon. The lawsuit says the Trump administration sent California officials a list of 20,000 people it believes are ineligible to vote. The case is part of the administration’s efforts ahead of the November 3, 2026 midterm elections.