A federal judge in California has ordered the Justice Department to stop threatening election officials with prosecution or demanding changes to election procedures based solely on federal claims that registered voters may be ineligible. The temporary restrictions apply as the country approaches the midterm elections and federal officials continue examining voter registration records in several states.

U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson issued the temporary restraining order in San Francisco, finding that the administration’s actions likely violated federal protections against voter intimidation and constitutional limits on federal involvement in election administration. The order specifically addresses efforts to pressure state and local officials into removing voters, withholding ballots or setting aside votes based on federal allegations of ineligibility.

The ruling does not prohibit the Justice Department from conducting lawful investigations into election-related matters. Instead, it limits the methods federal officials can use to influence how election administrators handle ballots cast by people already registered to vote.

Judge Thompson also directed the Justice Department to disclose records connected to its efforts, including search warrant applications, grand jury subpoenas and other demands made to state and local election authorities. The order remains in effect until 5 p.m. on November 16, unless the court changes it.

The lawsuit was brought by labor unions and civil rights organizations, including the Service Employees International Union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the League of United Latin American Citizens and the NAACP. The Justice Department has defended its actions as an effort to enforce federal restrictions on voting by noncitizens.

The dispute extends beyond California. In Washington state, federal officials identified more than 400 voters whose eligibility was questioned, but Secretary of State Steve Hobbs disputed the accuracy of the federal list, saying it included citizens. California officials have also challenged federal efforts involving more than 20,000 registered voters. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals previously rejected the Justice Department's emergency request in that dispute.

Other litigation has emerged in Alaska, where a separate controversy involving an independent Senate candidate with a name similar to Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan has prompted allegations of potential voter confusion and a federal investigation.

Meanwhile, the Ninth Circuit has left restrictions in place on certain Department of Homeland Security election-related operations in nine states through Election Day. Those restrictions stem from a separate injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín. Federal authorities may still conduct investigations permitted by law.

The cases reflect a growing conflict over the federal government's role in reviewing voter eligibility and the authority of state and local officials to administer elections. With voting underway, the courts are being asked to determine where federal oversight ends and protections for election administration begin.