David O. Carter
Role at the time: U.S. district judge, order denying the temporary restraining order
Condemned
Statement summary
Carter denies the government's request, writing that segregating the flagged ballots would disrupt an election already underway and discount citizens' votes.
“The Executive’s requested relief, however, would wreak havoc and disrupt the election that is already underway, create a chilling effect on election workers and voters alike, and discount the votes of United States citizens.”
Read the original text (opens in a new tab)United States v. California, No. 2:26-cv-12025: order denying temporary restraining orderSections I and IV.D; Section V (Disposition)
Twenty-six-page order by Judge David O. Carter, dated October 28, 2026, denying the United States' application for a temporary restraining order that would have required California and Los Angeles County to segregate ballots from people on the federal list. The copy is the one posted by the California Attorney General's office.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Why we used this label
Relative to DOJ's request to segregate the flagged ballots, Carter rejects the request and describes its effects on voters and election workers as harmful.