Trump's DOJ sues California over claims 20,000 non-citizens were given ballots weeks before midterms

From the Newshound archive · first published 16 October 2026.

The Department of Justice has sued California, claiming approximately 20,000 people who are likely not citizens were added to the voter rolls, even though early voting in the state is already under way. Trump's approval ratings have fallen across every US state, with a 27-point swing in Texas alone pushing him into net negative territory. Republicans risk losing their majorities in both chambers of Congress, with Democrats needing a net gain of four Senate seats to take the upper chamber.

California officials have dismissed the DOJ's non-citizen voter claims as unsubstantiated, noting that the lawsuit arrived only after early voting had already begun.

Democrats are reportedly welcoming Trump's effort to make the midterms a referendum on himself, with party ad campaigns already focused on the president.