A federal appeals court panel rejected an effort to set aside more than 20,000 mail-in ballots in California. The ruling came in a 2-to-1 vote.
The panel declined to order the state to impound the ballots. Judges described the request as plainly unconstitutional.
The decision marks another legal setback for the effort to challenge the ballots. It follows earlier rulings that also rejected the move.
The case centered on mail-in ballots cast in California. The challengers sought to have the votes set aside before they could be counted.
Two judges on the panel formed the majority. One judge dissented from the ruling.
The court found no legal basis for the request. The majority held that impounding valid ballots would violate constitutional protections.
The ruling allows election officials to proceed with processing the ballots. No further delay was ordered by the panel.
