Sacramento, CA – The California Democracy Partnership, a powerful group of labor leaders, voting rights advocates, and community organizers committed to preserving democracy in California, today condemned President Donald Trump’s illegal attacks on mail-in voting via executive order.

The California Democracy Partnership released the following statement from Darius L. Kemp, MPA, Executive Director of California Common Cause:

“Trump’s executive order is patently illegal and an affront to our democratic values, seeking to disenfranchise voters of color, low wage workers, and senior citizens. The Constitution is clear that the power to administer elections falls to states and Congress, not the President. The California Democracy Partnership stands in support of Attorney General Bonta and civil rights organizations across California who will rightfully take this illegal executive order to court to preserve free and fair elections in this country.

“It is also clear that Trump's attacks on our democracy will only continue. The legislature must unite now behind critical investments in election infrastructure and voter education. This includes mobilizing trusted community messengers to counter the misinformation and erosion of confidence Trump's attacks are designed to create. Legislators must also pass the California Voting Rights Act of 2026 to strengthen our democracy against attacks that limit voters' access to the ballot box and sow confusion in an attempt to silence voices in our democracy."

Background:

Voting by mail has been integral to our democracy since the 19th century. During World War II, as American soldiers fought to preserve democratic institutions abroad, they exercised their rights to vote in US elections via the mail. And the 2009 MOVE Act further enshrined access to mail voting which cannot be undone by executive order.

Since September 2021, all eligible Californians have received mail ballots for elections and in the 2024 general election, more than 80% of ballots returned were mail ballots.

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Anchored in the belief that our democracy should be by the people, and for the people, the California Democracy Partnership is a growing group of racial justice, civil rights, union and community organizations focused on making sure our democracy works for everyone who calls California home. Learn more about our work and Partnership members here.