Senator Tillis Blasts California Over Ballot Harvesting
The Department of Justice is suing California to block thousands of potential noncitizen ballots from being counted.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Elections
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Should states be required to verify citizenship status for everyone on their voter registration rolls?
Senator Thom Tillis has accused California of enabling ballot harvesting while federal authorities push to invalidate 20,000 ballots. The Department of Justice is currently seeking a court order to prevent the state from counting votes cast by individuals flagged as potential noncitizens.
Why it matters
Federal officials argue that California fails to adequately verify citizenship status for its voter rolls, which they claim violates federal law. This legal dispute highlights ongoing national tensions regarding state-level election administration and voter eligibility protocols.
The Department of Justice has requested the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals block the counting of 20,000 ballots identified as potentially belonging to noncitizens. Authorities have already charged 28 individuals for illegally registering to vote.
The players
Thom Tillis
He is a United States Senator who has criticized California's election procedures.
Gavin Newsom
He is the Governor of California who has responded to federal allegations regarding state election integrity.
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States who has warned of potential legal consequences for state officials.
Department of Justice
This is the federal executive department responsible for enforcing laws and administering justice.
9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
This is the federal court currently reviewing the DOJ's request to intervene in California's ballot counting.
The details
Federal officials cross-referenced state voter lists with federal data to flag potential noncitizens who may receive mail-in ballots. The Department of Justice issued an ultimatum requiring California officials to set aside these 20,000 ballots within a 48-hour window.
Timeline
Earlier this month the Department of Justice sued California.
Last week Governor Gavin Newsom accused President Trump of attempting to rig elections.
Last Thursday the DOJ requested that the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals intervene.
October 25, 2026, Senator Thom Tillis appeared on Face the Nation.
Political Context
The DOJ alleges that California’s failure to verify citizenship status for voter rolls violates 18 U.S.C. §§ 611 and 2. Critics of the federal intervention argue that such lawsuits infringe upon state authority to manage election administration and voter registration standards.
Residents should be aware that the outcome of this litigation could lead to new requirements for voter registration verification across the state. These federal demands may force local officials to adjust ballot processing timelines in the coming weeks.
The takeaway
This case underscores the widening legal divide between federal election oversight and state-managed registration systems. Voters are encouraged to check their local registration status and follow official updates regarding ballot processing deadlines.
Further reading
For more on the current status of state voting laws, visit California Elections.
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Should states be required to verify citizenship status for everyone on their voter registration rolls?
