Maryland Attorney General Joins Coalition Opposing Federal Suit to Stop Count of 20,000 California Ballots

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general opposing the Trump administration’s lawsuit against California, which seeks to stop California election officials from counting the ballots of more than 20,000 people the administration has labeled “likely” noncitizens, according to a release from Brown’s office.

The case is United States v. California, in federal court in California. The states’ brief, posted by Brown’s office, argues the lawsuit has no constitutional basis and would likely disenfranchise eligible voters. The release says the federal government made similar allegations against 16,000 people in Nevada earlier this year, and that none of them has been confirmed to be a noncitizen.

Election Day is Nov. 3, and early voting in Maryland began Thursday. Here is where Montgomery County residents can vote early. The Attorney General’s release follows in full.

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Attorney General Brown Joins Coalition Opposing the Federal Government’s Attempt to Interfere with California Elections

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 22, 2026

BALTIMORE, MD – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a multistate coalition of 22 attorneys general opposing a lawsuit against California filed by the federal government that is part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to sow doubt about the legitimacy of the midterm elections.

In United States v. California, the administration seeks to prevent California election officials from counting the ballots of over 20,000 individuals whom the administration has labeled, without clear explanation or evidence, “likely” noncitizens. This effort echoes similar allegations the federal government made against 16,000 individuals in Nevada earlier this year – none of whom the administration has confirmed to be noncitizens.

The Constitution empowers states to run elections in line with federal laws established by Congress, not orders from the president or the executive branch. The states’ brief in support of California argues the federal government’s lawsuit has no constitutional basis, appears to be a deliberate act of bad faith by the administration, would cause chaos for state and local election officials nationwide if successful, and would likely disenfranchise eligible voters.

“The Trump Administration’s attempt to set aside thousands of California ballots based on questionable evidence is a reckless assault on our democracy that could silence lawful voters’ voices,” said Attorney General Brown. “From California to Maryland, our Office will defend every eligible voter’s right to help chart our country’s future.”

The coalition argues the Trump administration has pushed false claims of widespread election fraud for years, which have been rejected by independent experts and dozens of court rulings. In the past year, courts have rejected multiple executive orders and agency rules that would have taken control of elections from states, while Congress has not given in to the administration’s demands to pass legislation that would have imposed new burdens on voters. The administration has also demanded confidential state voter registration lists and threatened state officials with prosecution, which more than two dozen courts have found unlawful, including the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.

With Election Day less than two weeks away, the administration continues making impossible and unconstitutional demands of state and local election officials. The administration’s lawsuit against California asserts the federal government can direct state officials to either not count a person’s vote based on vague and unverified allegations or else face criminal prosecution.

Congress has established detailed voter list maintenance requirements for states, consistent with its constitutional authority under the Elections Clause. According to the brief, the administration’s lawsuit does not allege any violation of those requirements; instead it seeks to invent new, unconstitutional powers over elections.

State and federal laws already provide accountability for individuals who commit voter fraud, including criminal prosecution and deportation for noncitizens. None of those laws require states to set aside their own election laws.

Joining Attorney General Brown in this brief are the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

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