The U.S. Department of Justice on Friday moved to dismiss its own lawsuit that sought to stop California from counting roughly 20,000 ballots it alleged went to noncitizens until their immigration status could be verified.

The request to dismiss the case comes days after Republicans' significant losses in the midterm elections and about a week before a scheduled hearing where a special master was slated to evaluate the accuracy of the list.

California officials have previously said the list is out of date and includes legitimate voters - a sentiment that the federal judge presiding over the case echoed in his blistering order denying the federal government's request.