DOJ Asks Supreme Court to Step In on California Ballots

The Justice Department asked the Supreme Court Monday to step into its fight with California over mail ballots from about 20,000 voters DOJ says may not be U.S. citizens. Judge David Carter turned down the temporary restraining order Wednesday, and a 9th Circuit panel split 2-1 Friday. Around here, a split like that means three folks got asked whether the gate was latched. Counting a herd isn't complicated. You count the cows, count them again, and check the brand before anybody sells one. California officials say the list could be off and eligible voters could get caught in it, a fair worry, and the courts have been busier than a one-armed paperhanger this week. Whether the Supreme Court takes it, nobody knows yet. Still, the folks counting ballots ought to know who's allowed to cast one.