Trump administration asks Supreme Court to segregate California ballots

The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on November 2 to order California to segregate ballots associated with about 20,000 people it suspects are noncitizens, while their eligibility is reviewed. The emergency application, filed by Solicitor General D. John Sauer, came one day before Election Day. The court had not ruled on the request as of Monday. The administration says separating the ballots would preserve the option of relief in its lawsuit without canceling votes. It argues that once challenged ballots are mixed with others and counted, they cannot be identified later. California officials have opposed the request, saying the list may include eligible voters and that separating ballots during voting and counting could disrupt election operations. The Supreme Court application followed a divided Ninth Circuit ruling rejecting the administration’s request. The appeals court majority said states have authority to prescribe election procedures. Judge Patrick Bumatay dissented, describing segregation as a reasonable way to allow officials to check eligibility. A federal district judge had also denied the administration’s request for a temporary restraining order....