The US Department of Justice has appealed against the ruling by a California court
A federal judge has ordered the administration of US President Donald Trump to stop intimidating election officials, who refuse to follow its instructions on handling ballots during the midterms on November 3.
In July, the Department of Justice (DOJ) sent letters to all 50 states warning that election officers, who would knowingly allow non-citizens to take part in the vote, could face criminal liability. Last month, the agency contacted the counties in California demanding them to identify the illegal aliens on the lists of registered voters or face potential legal action.
On Friday, US District Judge Trina Thompson, who is based in California, ruled that the Trump administration was operating outside of its constitutional authority and likely violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits “attempting to intimidate, threaten or coerce” officials, facilitating the election process.
“Although Defendants claim that their actions are designed to halt unlawful voting by non-citizens, their actions are likely to have the effect of interfering with election administration and disenfranchising lawful voters,” she argued.
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