Court Filing Casts Doubt on Trump’s California Non‑Citizen Voter List
UCLA data scientists found that 42% of names on the Trump‑issued list were not on California voter rolls.
In Brief
- •UCLA data scientists found that 42% of names on the Trump‑issued list were not on California voter rolls.
- •The list claimed 20,930 likely non‑citizens, but many were actually eligible U.S. citizens.
- •The lawsuit seeks to sequester ballots for those names ahead of the October 9, 2026 midterm elections.
- •The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the lawsuit twice, calling it unconstitutional.
- •Similar errors were found in Nevada’s list, raising concerns about nationwide accuracy.
Why It Matters
The lawsuit threatens to disenfranchise thousands of eligible voters in California, the nation’s most populous state, and could influence the outcome of the midterm elections that decide congressional control. The court’s rejection underscores the legal limits of executive attempts to alter state election processes and highlights the importance of accurate voter data to protect democratic integrity.
Key Details
- Trump List Size
- 20,930
- Incorrectly Flagged Proportion
- 42%
- Court Filing Date
- October 31, 2026
- Lawsuit Filing Date
- October 15, 2026
- Midterm Election Date
- October 9, 2026
Context & Background
The Trump administration has previously sent lists of "likely non‑citizen" voters to states, prompting lawsuits and court challenges. The 9th Circuit has repeatedly ruled such lists unconstitutional, citing the Elections Clause.
What To Watch
October 9, 2026 election day
Original Reporting & Sources
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