A federal judge in Seattle issued an emergency temporary restraining order blocking the United States Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security from coercing Washington state election officials into segregating or withholding mail ballots.
The court ruled that the Department of Justice cannot rely on 18 U.S.C.
Furthermore, state records confirmed that multiple individuals named on the federal list had previously presented documentation establishing verified United States citizenship to state authorities.
Legal counsel pointed out that federal attempts to force ballot segregation in California had already been rejected by federal district courts and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, with the United States Supreme Court declining federal emergency intervention on November 2.
In Kitsap County, election canvassing is governed by the County Canvassing Board under RCW 29A.60.160, comprising the County Auditor, the County Prosecuting Attorney, and the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners.
U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead granted a 14-day emergency restraining order barring the Department of Justice from demanding Washington election officials segregate mail ballots or threatening workers with prosecution.