Judge Blocks DOJ Tactics Targeting Election Officials

A federal judge just yanked the reins on how far the Trump administration can go in the name of combating illegal voting. US District Judge Trina Thompson on Friday issued a nationwide temporary restraining order blocking the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security from telling election officials to segregate ballots, purge voter rolls, or stop ballot processing, per CNN. Thompson, a Biden appointee, wrote in her ruling that the tactics, touted as a way to stop noncitizen voting, are instead likely to disrupt election administration and strip lawful voters of their rights.

Thompson's order, which came about in response to a lawsuit filed by unions representing election workers, is in place through Nov. 16. It also requires the administration to notify her of any searches, subpoenas, or other attempts to access election materials tied to federal "ineligible voter" lists, which critics say are flawed and sweep in US citizens. Politico notes that on Thursday, the DOJ sent letters out to election workers in every state, hinting they'd face prosecution if they didn't preserve election records. "One of the hallmarks of a fair election is the freedom to exercise the right to vote free from threat, fear, or intimidation," Thompson wrote, per the New York Times. "Free exercise of the right to vote is a core tenet of our democracy. It requires safeguarding."