Appeals court blocks Trump administration bid to set aside 20,000 California mail ballots

The 9th US Circuit Court on Monday rejected a Justice Department bid to block California from counting mail ballots from 20,000 voters it says are noncitizens.

• A three-judge panel denied the emergency appeal after arguments in a Sunday hearing held via Zoom.
• On Friday, at least 18 California counties received letters demanding officials set aside and verify ballots the administration claims belong to noncitizens.
• The Justice Department filed its lawsuit against California earlier this month.