A day before Election Day, the U.S. Supreme Court turned down the Trump administration's last-minute request to make California set aside more than 20,000 ballots. The administration had flagged those voters as possible noncitizens.

The ruling

The Associated Press reported that the high court refused to intervene and did not explain its reasoning, which is common in emergency decisions. CalMatters, in a story republished by Local News Matters, reported that no justices dissented. The administration had asked the court to hold the challenged ballots until each voter's citizenship could be verified.

How the case got here

CalMatters reported that in mid-October the administration sent a letter to California's secretary of state and Los Angeles County election officials demanding the 20,000 ballots be set aside. California refused, and the administration sued. U.S. District Judge David O. Carter ruled last week that the effort was likely unconstitutional. A three-judge 9th Circuit panel then rejected the administration's claims for the second time in a week.

California officials told the AP the list appeared to be filled with errors, and that setting the ballots aside could effectively disenfranchise legal voters. CalMatters reported that the UCLA Voting Rights Project told a federal court that 42% of the names could not be found on the current state voter file.

Other election cases

CalMatters also reported that federal prosecutors announced charges Monday against 12 more noncitizens accused of registering or voting in California. That follows earlier charges against 28 green card holders. Separately, U.S. District Judge Trina L. Thompson issued an order Friday barring the administration from threatening election workers or pressuring them to withhold or segregate ballots.

This story does not report any election results. Results will come from county elections offices and the California secretary of state after polls close. For more, see our Election Day forecast.

How to vote

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m., and mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days. You can check your registration and ballot status at sos.ca.gov/elections. California lets you register and vote the same day at a vote center.