Bonta Sues Federal Government Over 48 Hour Ballot Verification Order

California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a federal lawsuit on Saturday to block a two day deadline imposed by the Justice Department for verifying roughly 20,000 ballots. The legal action challenges the administration’s demand that election officials confirm the citizenship status of voters flagged by federal prosecutors. Bonta argued the timeline leaves counties with less than two weeks to complete the process before the midterm elections.

The conflict centers on a list of names provided to state officials by the Department of Justice. Federal prosecutors asked counties to work with the Department of Homeland Security to verify citizenship within 48 hours. Bonta stated that the department is acting on the direction of President Donald Trump. He told MS Now that the agency is politicizing and weaponizing the law to attack its enemies.

State election personnel have raised concerns about the accuracy of the list. Officials in Los Angeles reported that a high percentage of the individuals named were born in the United States. They warned that a rushed review could result in eligible citizens having their votes stripped. Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the effort on social media, calling it an absolute clown show. He claimed the department sent counties lists of people who never voted and voters from the wrong county.

The Justice Department defended its request as a necessary step to secure the vote. A department statement said it was asking county officials to provide information so DHS could quickly verify citizenship status. The agency said this cooperation would ensure the most secure election in California history. The move fits a wider national push by Republicans to crackdown on alleged voter fraud among undocumented immigrants.

Bonta questioned the evidence behind the federal list. At a recent press conference, he noted that officials were given only names without an explanation of ineligibility. He said the state would review the information if it were provided, but noted they have received none. The lawsuit seeks to halt the process pending a court ruling.

The legal dispute comes as federal prosecutors intensify their focus on noncitizen voting. The Justice Department recently charged 28 foreign nationals with fraudulently registering to vote. Bill Essayli, first assistant US attorney, said the arrests prove California is mailing ballots to noncitizens. The defendants are lawful permanent residents who hold legal status in the US but are not citizens. The department said noncitizens voting is a crime.

Some state officials took no action on the letters sent Friday, citing the rapid approach of the election. That decision triggered the current legal fight. An appeals court is scheduled to hear the matter on Tuesday. The outcome will determine whether counties must complete the verification by the federal deadline or wait for a longer review period.