Judge to appoint special master in California voting case in setback to DOJ's attempt to quickly intervene

On October 27, 2026, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter said he plans to appoint a special master to examine how the Justice Department compiled a list of about 20,000 alleged likely noncitizens in its lawsuit against California over ballots. He did not rule on the department’s request to set aside the ballots.