By a 2-1 vote, a federal appeals court panel denied the Trump administration’s request that it immediately order the state to set aside 20,000 mail-in ballots.

© Philip Cheung for The New York Times

A federal appeals court panel seemed disinclined to order the state to set aside as many as 20,000 mail-in ballots the Trump administration claimed were sent to noncitizens.

© Mike Blake/Reuters

Election officials across the state received letters from the agency saying if they fail to comply, they “risk significant federal scrutiny.”

© Philip Cheung for The New York Times

Voting rights advocates fear the Trump administration may use the federal government to cast doubt on the election, discourage participation or try to delegitimize results.

© Nicole Craine for The New York Times