(The Center Square) — A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit appears skeptical of the U.S. Department of Justice’s attempt to force California election officials to segregate ballots cast by 20,000 voters suspected of being noncitizens.

The San Francisco panel — made up of Trump appointees Mark Bennett and Patrick Bumatay, along with Biden appointee Gabriel Sanchez — raised sharp questions about the DOJ’s legal authority and timing, as well as the logistical feasibility of the Trump administration's demand so close to Election Day.

Originally published on thecentersquare.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.