Mark Bennett
Ninth Circuit appeals judge since 2018, appointed by Trump; Hawaii attorney general 2003-2010.
Last refreshed: 27 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Why did a Trump-appointed judge reject the Justice Department's California ballots appeal?
Timeline for Mark Bennett
9th Circuit sends DOJ ballot case back
US Midterms 2026Background
Mark J. Bennett is a judge of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, nominated by Donald Trump and confirmed in July 2018. He was Hawaii's attorney general from 2003 to 2010 and earlier a federal prosecutor in Washington and Hawaii. On 26 October 2026 he sat on the panel that ruled 2-1 it lacked jurisdiction over the Justice Department's emergency appeal to make California set aside mail ballots from more than 20,000 listed voters. In a concurrence he wrote that, even with jurisdiction, he would have denied the request on the merits.
Who is Judge Mark Bennett of the Ninth Circuit?
How did Judge Mark Bennett rule on the DOJ California ballots appeal?
Who appointed Judge Mark Bennett?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 27 October 2026. Editorial standards.