Los Angeles County said a federal judge denied the U.S. Department of Justice’s emergency request to set aside ballots cast by county residents ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

U.S. District Judge David O. Carter issued the ruling and wrote, “This Court will not deprive Californians who have met the requirements for voter registration of their fundamental right because of Plaintiff’s unfounded allegations.”

The county said the court identified significant legal concerns with the DOJ’s proposed relief and found it would likely violate longstanding federal protections, including the National Voter Registration Act, the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act.

Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean C. Logan said the office investigates credible evidence of unlawful voting but that allegations must be supported by verifiable evidence; “Our established procedures are grounded in state and federal law,” he added.

While additional judicial review is possible, the county said it remains confident in its election procedures and pointed to multiple safeguards: voter registration verification, ballot signature verification, secure ballot processing and opportunities for public observation.

Voting is underway across Los Angeles County. The county said all 646 Vote Centers will open beginning Saturday, Oct. 31, and voters may return Vote by Mail ballots at any Vote Center or at one of 429 official ballot drop boxes; on Election Day, Nov. 3, Vote Centers will be open from 7 AM to 8 PM. For official election information the county directed voters to LAVOTE.GOV.

Sources & methodology

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County of Los Angeles

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