Judge bars DoJ from threatening election workers as Trump holds tele-rallies

A federal judge has issued an order preventing the Department of Justice from threatening or coercing election workers to stop processing ballots, according to the Associated Press. The ruling also prohibits the DOJ from demanding local officials to segregate or exclude ballots deemed potentially ineligible by federal authorities.

The decision comes as Donald Trump continues his campaign efforts through tele-rallies from Mar-a-Lago, with plans to hold appearances in Iowa and Kansas just three days before the midterm elections. His approval rating has fallen to 36% according to a recent New York Times/Siena poll.

The judge’s ruling marks another setback for the Trump administration’s attempts to exert control over local election processes, following a federal appeals court’s rejection of a request to sequester disputed ballots in California.

In Alaska, a criminal and civil investigation has been launched into an alleged scheme involving Mary Peltola, a Democratic Senate candidate, and national Democrats. The probe centers on an effort to confuse voters by recruiting a spoiler candidate who shares a name with the Republican incumbent, Dan Sullivan.

The top federal prosecutor in Alaska confirmed the existence of a criminal and a civil investigation, which are examining whether the campaign’s actions could have misled voters in a closely watched race.

Meanwhile, early voting has set a record, with over 49 million Americans having already cast ballots by mail or in person, according to the Associated Press.