California Governor Warns Federal Judges to Be Ready for Attempts to Seize Ballots, Reuters Reports

California Governor Gavin Newsom on Saturday warned federal courts to be ready for potential attempts by President Donald Trump's administration to seize ballots during the upcoming midterm elections, Reuters reported.

Newsom, a Democrat, sent the warning letter to federal judges as the state's legal fight with the administration continued, Reuters reported. The administration has demanded records from California as part of a criminal investigation into noncitizen voting. On Friday, a U.S. appeals court rejected the administration's bid, potentially setting up a showdown at the U.S. Supreme Court, according to the report.

Separately, a federal judge ordered the Justice Department to stop threatening to prosecute state and local election officials in California who refuse to comply with the administration's election-related demands, Reuters reported.

In his letter, Newsom wrote that he had grave concerns federal agents would seek search warrants to seize ballots and ballot materials before the election results are certified, and that the only reason to use such warrants would be to interfere in the state's lawful counting of ballots, according to Reuters. The administration has alleged that more than 20,000 noncitizens are registered to vote in California, while the state and many experts have questioned the validity of the list, and California has said the Justice Department's assertions relied on suspect data, the report said.