On October 22, 2026, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general opposing a federal lawsuit against California. The lawsuit seeks to prevent California election officials from counting ballots of over 20,000 individuals labeled as “likely” noncitizens by the federal government, according to Brown's office.
The coalition argues that the lawsuit lacks constitutional basis and could disenfranchise eligible voters, as stated in the multistate brief supporting California.
Press Release: Office of the Attorney General of Maryland
Published October 22, 2026. Reproduced in full from the Office of the Attorney General of Maryland.
Attorney General Brown Joins Coalition Opposing the Federal Government’s Attempt to Interfere with California Elections
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.
