Judge Whitehead Grants TRO in Part in OneAmerica Votes v. Trump, Barring DOJ and DHS From Demanding Washington Set Aside Listed Voters’ Ballots

U.S. District Judge Jamal N. Whitehead granted in part the plaintiffs’ TRO motion in OneAmerica Votes v. Trump (2:26-cv-04223) on 11/05/26. Defendants DOJ, Attorney General Todd Blanche, DHS, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin and the federal prosecutors who had sent Secretary of State Steve Hobbs a list of roughly 400 registered voters are RESTRAINED from directing or demanding that any Washington state, county, or local election official remove specific registered voters from their registration lists, refuse them ballots, or set aside or not count their ballots, and from threatening officials who refuse.

The court found plaintiffs likely to succeed on their claim that defendants exceeded their authority. Reading the Ninth Circuit’s rulings, it held the government may ask a State to set ballots aside but may not compel one to do so. Nothing in this order restrains defendants from providing information or investigating unlawful voting. The order lasts FOURTEEN (14) days unless extended, and the court denied the government’s request for an administrative stay. Defendants respond by November 12, 2026, and the court will hear the motion on November 18, 2026.