--- title: "Judge hears arguments on counting California ballots disputed by DOJ" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/judge-hears-arguments-on-counting-california-ballots-disputed-by-doj" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/judge-hears-arguments-on-counting-california-ballots-disputed-by-doj" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/judge-hears-arguments-on-counting-california-ballots-disputed-by-doj.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/judge-hears-arguments-on-counting-california-ballots-disputed-by-doj" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-10-27T23:45:30.849Z" source_reported: "2026-10-27T22:58:46.000Z" updated: "2026-10-27T23:45:30.849Z" trust_score: 60 critic_score: 65 hype_score: 45 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-10-27T23:30:13.308022+00:00" --- # Judge hears arguments on counting California ballots disputed by DOJ *A federal judge is considering whether to allow California to count ballots from 20,000 voters whose citizenship is in question.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 60 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to a named body, and two independent outlets are cited. - Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. The reporting includes quotes from affected parties and states what happens next. - Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. The headline is a fair reflection of the article's content. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - A federal judge in Los Angeles heard arguments on whether the Justice Department can block California from counting about 20,000 ballots until voter citizenship is confirmed. - The Justice Department sued California election officials in mid-October, alleging they missed a deadline to review a list of suspected noncitizens on voter rolls. - California officials contend that separating mailed ballots after they are cast is impossible and that complying with the federal request could disenfranchise eligible voters. - The federal government compiled its list by cross-referencing voter data with third-party, State Department, and Social Security Administration records. U.S. District Judge David O. Carter in Los Angeles heard arguments on whether the Department of Justice can prevent California from counting the ballots of approximately 20,000 individuals until their U.S. citizenship is verified. The Justice Department initiated a lawsuit against California election officials in mid-October, asserting that the state failed to meet a deadline to review a list of names suspected of being noncitizens on its voter rolls. California officials countered that once ballots are mailed, they are separated from voter identification, making it impossible to segregate them. They also warned that complying with the federal government's demands could lead to the disenfranchisement of legitimate voters and delay election certification. ## Disagreement over the federal list's accuracy The federal government's methodology for compiling the list involved cross-referencing voter registration data with third-party data, Department of State records, and Social Security Administration records. However, a sample review of 200 records from the federal list conducted by Los Angeles County staff included canceled registrations, individuals with no voting history, and voters whose records indicated they were born in the U.S. Lawyers for California also questioned the government's reliance on a third-party service for Social Security numbers. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated digests mention the specific details of the federal government's methodology for compiling its list, beyond stating it involved cross-referencing data. The right-rated digest does not detail the arguments made by California officials regarding the impossibility of separating mailed ballots or the potential for disenfranchising legitimate voters. ## Who covered it Shares of the 18 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 39% (7) - Centre: 55% (10) - Right: 6% (1) 0 of 18 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-27T23:30:13.308022+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-28T00:00:46.183Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports highlighted the arguments made by California officials, emphasizing their assertion that separating mailed ballots is impossible and that the federal demands could disenfranchise legitimate voters. These reports noted that a sample review of the federal list by Los Angeles County staff found issues such as canceled registrations and voters born in the U.S. They also mentioned that the federal government's list was compiled using a methodology that included third-party data, Department of State records, and Social Security Administration records. Some reports included details about a previous attempt by the federal government to seek emergency relief from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which was rebuffed. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports focused on the core legal arguments presented in court, detailing the Justice Department's claim that it seeks to 'safeguard' the election and California's defense that separating ballots is logistically impossible and could disenfranchise voters. These reports mentioned the number of ballots in question, approximately 20,000, and the timing of the hearing amid ongoing voting. They also included statements from federal prosecutors and California attorneys, such as Christopher Pelham's argument about the time-consuming nature of sorting ballots by hand and M. Patrick Moore's suggestion of pursuing criminal prosecution for noncitizens who illegally vote. ### Right - The single right-rated report mentioned that a federal judge in Los Angeles heard arguments over whether the Department of Justice can bar California from counting the ballots of approximately 20,000 people until their U.S. citizenship can be confirmed. It stated that the Justice Department sued California election officials in mid-October, alleging they failed to meet a deadline to review a list of names suspected of being noncitizens on voter rolls. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - high: 3 - veryHigh: 15 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Beloit Daily News](https://beloitdailynews.com/news/national-news/judge-weighs-whether-california-can-count-up-to-20-000-ballots-disputed-by-us-government/article_27752a75-a228-5804-8876-6cc541056d1d.html) — Judge weighs whether California can count up to 20,000 ballots disputed by US government - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/10/judge-to-consider-whether-california-should-count-20000-ballots-disputed-by-trump-administration) — Judge hears arguments whether California should count 20,000 ballots disputed by US government – WTOP News - [Reflector](https://reflector.com/news/national/judge-hears-arguments-whether-california-should-count-20-000-ballots-disputed-by-us-government/article_047d90f3-78c7-598d-bac0-d271c869e68f.html) — Judge hears arguments whether California should count 20,000 ballots disputed by US government - [The Daily Star](https://thedailystar.com/news/state/judge-hears-arguments-whether-california-should-count-20-000-ballots-disputed-by-us-government/article_dd2d2693-4f18-5d6a-b49e-cf9bb971c2db.html) — Judge hears arguments whether California should count 20,000 ballots disputed by US government - [KTBS](https://ktbs.com/news/national/judge-hears-arguments-whether-california-should-count-20-000-ballots-disputed-by-us-government/article_a6c6c42b-1cd8-5ccf-a236-567749139214.html) — Judge hears arguments whether California should count 20,000 ballots disputed by US government - [Houston Chronicle](https://houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/article/judge-to-consider-whether-california-should-count-22497266.php) — Client Challenge - [New Haven Register](https://nhregister.com/news/politics/article/judge-to-consider-whether-california-should-count-22497266.php) — Client Challenge - [SF Chronicle](https://sfchronicle.com/news/politics/article/judge-to-consider-whether-california-should-count-22497266.php) — Client Challenge - [Reuters](https://reuters.com/legal/government/us-judge-weigh-justice-depts-effort-block-california-counting-alleged-noncitizen-2026-10-27) — Judge hears Justice Dept's suit claiming noncitizens on California ... - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/california-noncitizen-voting-trump-lawsuit-ballots-8f6e267a51c574716386f502b77f7ce0) — Judge to consider whether California should count 20,000 ballots disputed by Trump administration - [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/news/politics/2026/10/27/judge-to-consider-whether-california-should-count-20000-ballots-disputed-by-trump-administration) — Judge weighs whether California can count up to 20,000 ballots disputed by US government - [Click on Detroit](https://clickondetroit.com/news/politics/2026/10/27/judge-to-consider-whether-california-should-count-20000-ballots-disputed-by-trump-administration) — Judge to consider whether California should count 20,000 ballots disputed by Trump administration - [WTEN](https://news10.com/news/national/ap-judge-to-consider-whether-california-should-count-20000-ballots-disputed-by-trump-administration) — Judge to consider whether California should count 20,000 ballots disputed by Trump administration - [KTLA 5](https://ktla.com/news/ap-us-news/ap-judge-to-consider-whether-california-should-count-20000-ballots-disputed-by-trump-administration) — Judge to consider whether California should count 20,000 ballots disputed by Trump administration - [KPRC-TV](https://click2houston.com/news/politics/2026/10/27/judge-to-consider-whether-california-should-count-20000-ballots-disputed-by-trump-administration) — Judge to consider whether California should count 20,000 ballots disputed by Trump administration - [Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer](https://messenger-inquirer.com/ap/elections/judge-weighs-whether-california-can-count-up-to-20-000-ballots-disputed-by-us-government/article_aa8d02d4-6b4f-50f5-bcbc-7bdaeb59433e.html) — Judge weighs whether California can count up to 20,000 ballots disputed by US government - [Durango Herald](https://durangoherald.com/articles/associated-press/judge-to-consider-whether-california-should-count-20000-ballots-disputed-by-trump-administration) — Judge hears arguments whether California should count 20,000 ballots disputed by US government - [NBC Bay Area](https://nbcbayarea.com/news/california/judge-arguments-california-20000-ballots/4165522) — Judge hears arguments whether California should count 20,000 ballots disputed by US government ## Questions **What is the core dispute between the Justice Department and California?** The Justice Department wants California to stop counting ballots from about 20,000 voters until their U.S. citizenship can be confirmed, alleging they failed to meet a deadline to review a list of suspected noncitizens. California officials argue this is impossible with mailed ballots and could disenfranchise eligible voters. **How did the federal government compile its list of suspected noncitizens?** The federal government cross-referenced voter registration data with information from third-party data collectors, Department of State records, and Social Security Administration records. A sample review by Los Angeles County staff found inaccuracies in this list. **What are California's main arguments against the Justice Department's request?** California officials argue that once a ballot is mailed, it cannot be separated from the voter's identity, making it impossible to segregate specific ballots. They also contend that complying with the federal demands could disenfranchise legitimate voters and cause general uncertainty in election results. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. 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