Judge blocks federal threats against election workers ahead of midterms

U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson on Friday temporarily barred the Trump administration from threatening election workers with criminal prosecution, Fox News and The Guardian reported. The order stops federal officials from targeting staff who process ballots from voters the administration claims are ineligible, just days before the midterm elections. Fox News said the judge found the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security likely violated the Voting Rights Act's prohibition against voter intimidation. [1][3]

The federal action follows heightened pressure on state voting staff across the country. Fox News reported that the Department of Justice issued criminal grand jury subpoenas to at least four California election workers concerning noncitizen voting records. Earlier efforts by the administration to set aside ballots had also been stopped by a judge, according to CalMatters. [7][9]

Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries previously filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump and his administration, as FTMQ News reported earlier. That suit accused the administration of using threats and pressure against state election officials to force states to surrender voter rolls and remove registrants ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. [12]

Judge Thompson noted that freedom to exercise the right to vote is one of the hallmarks of a fair election, Fox News reported. The ruling places a temporary halt on federal prosecution threats against election staff as voters prepare for the midterms. [1]