Judge blocks DOJ from threatening election workers before midterms

A federal judge issued an emergency order on Friday preventing the Trump administration from threatening election workers with criminal prosecution for counting ballots that the Justice Department alleges belong to ineligible voters. The ruling arrives just days before the midterm elections, effectively blocking federal attempts to sideline specific ballots through intimidation of local officials.

U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson concluded that the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security were likely overstepping their constitutional authority and violating the Voting Rights Act by engaging in a campaign to coerce state workers. The administration’s tactics, which included threats of criminal charges against those who did not comply with federal demands to stop counting, were cited as significant barriers to the administration of the upcoming election.

While the administration maintains that its actions are necessary to enforce federal laws against noncitizen voting, the court’s order forces the DOJ to cease its current pressure campaign and disclose pending legal actions. This decision follows a broader trend of judicial pushback against federal interventions in local election administration across multiple states, including California, Washington, and Alaska.

Key Takeaways

• A federal judge has halted the Trump administration's efforts to threaten election workers, citing voter intimidation.
• The court ruled that the DOJ's tactics violated the Voting Rights Act and exceeded federal constitutional authority.
• The order requires the DOJ to cease its pressure campaign and disclose pending legal demands against state officials.