The panel determines that the federal government cannot direct the manner in which states comply with federal laws.
A panel of the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals determined that the Department of Justice must wait for the lower court process to play out in its attempt to require the state of California to set aside ballots cast by noncitizens. The federal government filed an emergency appeal to expedite a ruling in the case.
California had refused the request from the president’s administration to review 20,000 names flagged as likely noncitizens on the state’s voter rolls. The Justice Department then sued the state, asking a federal judge to require California election officials to withhold ballots from the election count until certain voters’ immigration status was verified. The lower court’s hearing was held on Tuesday.
The administration has sought to ensure that California enforces its own law prohibiting noncitizens from voting.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For federal judges as they hear cases regarding the enforcement of and compliance with federal and state election laws.
- For officials in the Justice Department as they seek to ensure the integrity of the midterm elections.
- For state election officials to administer the tallying of ballots according to state and federal laws.
Sources: Newsmax, CNN, UPI News
