Judge Rejects DOJ Bid to Set Aside Ballots from About 20,000 People

Why did the department want the ballots set aside?

Federal officials are concerned that some people who are not U.S. citizens may have registered or voted illegally. They asked the court to order state and local election officials to stop processing ballots connected to people on their list.

What was California's response to that list?

State and local officials said the list was unreliable. Los Angeles County carried out an early review and found that many people on it did not have active voter registrations. Officials also said that separating ballots only days before Election Day would be unlawful and difficult to do.

Why would timing make such a difference?

Voting was already under way, and officials were also processing mailed ballots. They argued that an emergency order at that point could mean eligible voters did not have their votes counted.

So what did the judge decide?

U.S. District Judge David Carter denied the request for a temporary restraining order on Wednesday evening. His decision means California can continue its election procedures for now.

What concerns did he raise in his ruling?

In his 26-page ruling, Judge Carter said the federal government had never before tried, so close to an election, to make state and local governments leave their own constitutional election procedures. He also warned that separating votes could harm eligible voters and create chaos.

Did he explain what he meant by harm?

He wrote that once a vote is separated, lasting harm has already happened. He said votes should not be discounted during an election because of allegations that have not been proven.

Does that prevent the federal government from pursuing cases of illegal voting?

No. Judge Carter said the government can continue bringing criminal cases against people who illegally vote as noncitizens. Justice Department officials say they have charged dozens of people in the past two months with registering or voting without being U.S. citizens.

What happens next?

The emergency request has failed, but the wider case is not over and will likely be appealed. The Justice Department has also asked Washington state officials to review 400 registered voters it believes are likely to be noncitizens.

Thank you, Jack.

Our second story is about plans to ease rules on methane emissions from oil and gas companies.

Ella is LinguaWire's correspondent for the environment, and she has been following the planned changes.

Hello, Daniel. President Trump announced on Tuesday that his administration plans to roll back methane rules that the Biden administration finalised in 2024. He made the announcement at a midterm campaign rally in Texas.

What reason did he give for changing the rules?

He said the rules were expensive and unnecessary. He also said they had put too much pressure on small oil and gas operators, and that ending them would save consumers and energy producers money. He did not give further details.

What has the Environmental Protection Agency said it plans to change?

The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, has said it plans to loosen rules on methane leaks from lower-producing oil wells. It also plans to end its Super Emitter Program, which was meant to let third-party groups report methane leaks from natural gas production.

Why is methane important in climate policy?

Methane is the main component of natural gas. It stays in the atmosphere for less time than carbon dioxide, but it traps much more heat while it is there. Scientists say methane is about 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide over 20 years.

And how large is its effect on global warming?

Methane comes from natural sources, including wetlands, as well as from human activity. It is responsible for roughly one-third of global warming.

Why did the previous administration focus on leaks from oil and gas production?

The Biden administration saw stopping methane leaks as a relatively quick way to reduce emissions. The planned changes would affect low-producing wells, also called stripper wells.

Do those wells produce much of the country's natural gas?

They produce about 7% to 8% of U.S. natural gas. However, research suggests they could account for about half of the methane that leaks into the atmosphere.

Why do operators of these wells support the rollback?

Many of the wells are near the end of their working lives or could soon stop being profitable. The National Stripper Well Association says the cost of meeting the current rules could make the wells uneconomical to operate.

What happens next?

The EPA has previewed the changes, but the administration has not yet explained exactly how the rollback will work. The announcement also comes a week before the midterm elections, when high fuel costs are an important issue for many voters.

Thank you, Ella.

Leak.

A leak is gas or liquid that escapes. In the story, “methane leaks from lower-producing oil wells.”

Workers found a gas leak near the pipeline.

Trap.

To trap heat means to keep it from escaping. In the story, “it traps much more heat while it is there.”

Clouds trap heat near the Earth.

Atmosphere.

The atmosphere is the layer of gases around Earth. In the story, “It stays in the atmosphere for less time than carbon dioxide.”

The atmosphere protects life on Earth.

Part two: the grammar.

While clauses: “It stays in the atmosphere for less time than carbon dioxide, but it traps much more heat while it is there.”

We use while to say that two things happen at the same time.

In the story, “It stays in the atmosphere for less time than carbon dioxide, but it traps much more heat while it is there.”

I listen to music while I cook dinner.

Repeat after me: It stays in the atmosphere for less time than carbon dioxide, but it traps much more heat while it is there.