Trump Administration Takes California Ballot Fight to Supreme Court

On the eve of the US midterm elections, President Donald Trump's administration asked the Supreme Court on Monday to temporarily block California from

counting mail-in ballots from more than 20,000 registered voters who federal officials allege are likely non-US citizens.



Escalating a legal fight that could affect thousands of voters, the Justice Department filed the emergency request as it seeks to prevent counting the disputed ballots until each voter's citizenship status can be verified.



A federal appeals court refused the request on Friday.



Trump's fellow Republicans are fighting to retain control of Congress in Tuesday's midterms. California is the most populous US state and a Democratic stronghold.



The administration has intensified its focus on alleged noncitizen voting in the run-up to the midterms.