Federal judge orders a halt to noncitizen voter investigations in nine states through Election Day
The order covers investigations into whether noncitizens are registered to vote. It is on hold until Oct. 23 so the administration can appeal.
U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin in Oakland, California, ordered the Trump administration on Oct. 21 to stop investigating whether noncitizens are registered to vote in nine states until polls close on Nov. 3, the Associated Press reported. She paused her order until Oct. 23 to give the administration time to appeal.
The states are California, Connecticut, Georgia, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin. The suit was brought by the California Nurses Association, National Nurses United, the Voto Latino Foundation, San Francisco and Santa Clara County.
The judge found the effort relies on data that is "full of errors" and is leading to intimidation of groups that help people register and vote, according to the AP. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
What is established
- The order covers nine states and runs until polls close on Nov. 3.
- It takes effect Oct. 23 unless an appeals court steps in.
- Plaintiffs are two nurses' unions, the Voto Latino Foundation, San Francisco and Santa Clara County.
What each side says
Has said noncitizen voting is a major problem. Its own investigations, like earlier studies, have found such voting rare, the AP noted.
The sweeps rely on faulty data and intimidate voter registration groups weeks before an election.
How it was covered
Left 1 report
Network coverage framed the ruling as a check on Homeland Security sweeps for possible noncitizen voters.
Center 1 report
Wire coverage led with the scope of the order, the nine states and the appeal window.
Right No reports
No coverage from Right outlets in our feeds yet at the time of writing.