SCOTUS rejects Trump's bid over disputed California ballots

Josephine Walker

The US Supreme Court paused an appellate order against the Federal Communications Commission's guidance extending discounted broadcast advertising rates for candidates to political parties and joint fundraising committees. Photographer: Craig Hudson/Bloomberg via Getty Images — The US Supreme Court in Washington, D.C on Oct. 5, 2026. Photo: Craig Hudson/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

The Supreme Court denied the Trump administration's request Monday to hear its case regarding more than 20,000 California ballots that President Trump claims were cast by noncitizens.

Why it matters: It's a blow to the administration, which has been tussling with the state in what it says is a fight to ensure all eligible voters can vote and have their ballots counted, as the law requires.

What they're saying: "The application for injunction pending appeal presented to Justice Kagan and by her referred to the Court is denied," an unsigned order from the court read.

Catch up quick: The Trump administration sued California in mid-October, arguing that it had identified more than 20,000 noncitizens on the state's voter rolls.

Judges have consistently rejected the administration's argument, finding that its lists contain factual errors and risk disenfranchising eligible voters.
One judge even noted that when the administration claimed it had specifically verified more than 100 people as noncitizens in Nevada, the state proved they were, in fact, citizens.

Zoom out: The court has often sided with Trump, but has notably broken with him on cases involving voting access.

The president has no constitutional authority over elections. That power largely rests with the states and Congress.

The White House and the Department of Justice did not respond to Axios' request for comment.

Go deeper: Trump administration turns to SCOTUS in California ballot case

Add Axios on Google

SCOTUS rejects Trump's bid over disputed California ballots

What to read next