San Diego Delegation Backs Registrar Over DOJ Ballot Request
Four congressional members urged the Justice Department to drop its demand that 1,709 San Diego County ballots be set aside.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Do you trust the federal government to handle voter-roll challenges fairly?
Four members of San Diego's congressional delegation sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche backing the county Registrar of Voters' refusal to set aside 1,709 voters' ballots. The Justice Department alleges those voters are non-citizens and requested their Social Security numbers and ID copies within 48 hours.
Why it matters
The dispute reflects a broader federal push to verify citizenship among California voters, which could affect how ballots are counted in the state. Local officials argue the request amounts to a voter purge, raising questions about the balance between citizenship verification and voter access.
The Justice Department's request sought Social Security numbers and copies of state IDs from 1,709 San Diego County voters within 48 hours, a deadline that passed Sunday. Whether these voters are non-citizens remains unverified as Judge David Carter weighs the federal government's request.
The players
Todd Blanche
Todd Blanche is the U.S. Attorney General overseeing the Justice Department's citizenship-based ballot challenges in California.
David Carter
David Carter is a U.S. District Judge in Los Angeles who heard arguments on the federal government's request to set aside 20,000 California ballots.
Scott Peters
Scott Peters is a Democratic member of Congress representing San Diego who co-signed the letter opposing the Justice Department's ballot request.
Mike Levin
Mike Levin is a Democratic member of Congress representing North County San Diego who co-signed the letter opposing the Justice Department's ballot request.
The details
The Justice Department asked county election officials to leave ballots uncounted until citizenship status is verified, sending 57 similar letters to California counties on Friday. The federal government is also pursuing legal action in Los Angeles federal court seeking to set aside 20,000 California ballots.
Timeline
Last month: U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon sent the letter requesting ballots be left uncounted.
Last week: Judge David Carter heard arguments from the DOJ and California officials.
Friday: 57 similar DOJ letters were sent to California counties.
Sunday: The 48-hour DOJ compliance deadline passed.
November 2, 2026: Four San Diego congressional members sent a letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Legal Context
The Justice Department's ballot challenges build on federal voter-roll verification efforts, and the San Diego delegation's letter contests whether those efforts can override county registrars' decisions. The dispute will test how far federal citizenship checks can reach into ballots already accepted by local election officials.
Voters whose ballots are held or set aside may face delays in seeing their votes counted until citizenship status is resolved. Residents of San Diego County and other California counties should watch for further notices from local election offices about their registration status.
The takeaway
Voters concerned about their registration status should confirm it directly with their county Registrar of Voters before the next election. Citizenship verification disputes can move quickly, so staying informed through official county channels helps avoid surprises.
What happens next
Judge David Carter has indicated he will issue a ruling on the government's request, though no date has been set.
Further reading
Track more developments in California Elections as the federal ballot dispute moves through court.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Times of San Diego.
Live Poll
Do you trust the federal government to handle voter-roll challenges fairly?
