A Suit to Hold Back 'Likely' Noncitizen Mail Ballots in California

The Trump administration sued California election officials Thursday, asking a judge to bar the state from counting mail-in ballots in next month's midterms from people the federal government has identified as “likely” noncitizens, at least until their status can be confirmed. Two words carry the weight of the request: “likely” is the government's own characterization, and the remedy sought is a pause on counting pending confirmation rather than a finding that any particular ballot is invalid. That ask lands weeks before the election it would affect.