Democracy Advocates Decry Supreme Court Ruling that Fuels Election Disinformation

Sacramento, CA – The California Democracy Partnership, a powerful group of labor leaders, voting rights advocates, and community organizers committed to protecting and strengthening our democracy in California, today decried the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing the Trump Administration to pursue its Executive Order on mail-in ballots and applauded Governor Newsom for pledging to fight back against this attack on the right to vote. The Partnership is fighting to pass the CVRA of 2026 – legislation to strengthen the state’s landmark Voting Rights Act and increase access to the ballot box for all eligible California voters.

The California Democracy Partnership released the following statement from anchor member Dr. Matt A. Barreto, Faculty Director of the UCLA Voting Rights Project:

“California's mail voting rules have not changed. We will not let confusion about today's decision become a tool for suppression. Our democracy depends on eligible voters’ unfettered access to the ballot.

“Today's Supreme Court decision is procedural, and does not give legal authority to Trump’s attempt to undermine the midterm elections by disenfranchising mail voters. The Constitution clearly provides states with the authority to manage their elections and no president can issue an order to block voting by mail. Ultimately Trump's USPS order will be struck down. While the legal battles continue in lower courts, the California Democracy Partnership is committed to continuing to fight to protect the right to vote for all eligible Californians.

“We applaud Governor Newsom for defending Californians' right to vote by legally challenging federal restrictions on this constitutional protection. Access to casting a ballot by mail is the only way many military members, disabled voters, seniors, and working parents juggling jobs and family duties are able to exercise their right to vote.  

“California is a pro-voter state and we are proud of our secure and accessible vote by mail process that enfranchises voters who would otherwise struggle to vote. Today’s Supreme Court decision is about attempting to limit who has a voice in the election, but in a democracy, voters choose their elected officials, not the other way around. That’s why the Democracy Partnership is leading the fight to pass the California Voting Rights Act of 2026 to expand voting access for every eligible voter in our state, including increasing access to ballots and election resources in the languages we speak and the ability to fight to protect our votes. On every front – in the courts, in our legislature, in our communities – we will fight to protect our votes.”

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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 members of the Partnership here.