Photo: California Governor Gavin Newsom, official portrait 2026 (file image)
USANewsom commutes all 548 California death sentences in largest mass clemency in US history
California Governor Gavin Newsom has moved to commute every death sentence in the state to life without parole, in what would be the largest mass commutation in American history — though most cases still need the state Supreme Court's approval.
Photo: The California State Capitol in Sacramento
USAUS Supreme Court rejects Trump bid to set aside California ballots on eve of midterms
The US Supreme Court on Monday rejected the Trump administration's emergency request to force California to segregate mail ballots cast by more than 20,000 registered voters federal officials allege may not be citizens, leaving the state's existing ballot procedures in place on election day.
Photo: The United States Supreme Court building in Washington, DC
USATrump administration asks Supreme Court to set aside California mail ballots from 20,000 voters it alleges may be noncitizens, a day before the midterms
The Justice Department filed an emergency request on Monday asking the US Supreme Court to order California to segregate mail ballots cast by more than 20,000 registered voters federal officials allege may not be citizens, after two lower courts refused the same request.
Photo: Voting booths at a polling station in Washington DC
USARecord early voting passes 51 million in US midterms as Alaska probe intensifies and California ballot fight heads to Supreme Court
More than 51 million Americans have already voted in the midterm elections, a record for a midterm, as federal prosecutors step up an Alaska Senate investigation and the Trump administration signals it will take its California ballot fight to the Supreme Court.
Photo: A ballot and ballot box in Sonoma, California
USAUS judge bars Trump administration from threatening election officials over ballots, as Newsom warns courts of possible ballot seizures
A federal judge has ordered the Justice and Homeland Security departments to stop threatening election officials over ballot processing days before the 3 November midterms, the Justice Department has appealed, and California's governor has warned federal judges to be ready for attempts to seize ballots before certification.
Photo: A ballot and ballot box in Sonoma, California
USAAppeals court again rejects Trump bid to block counting of California ballots
A federal appeals court has rejected the Trump administration's latest attempt to stop California counting mail ballots from more than 20,000 voters it alleges are likely noncitizens, its second defeat on the issue this week.