California leaders are speaking out against President Donald Trump’s Tuesday executive order seeking limits on mail-in ballots through a national voter list ahead of the midterm elections this year. While this order is expected to meet legal challenges, the order calls on the Department of Homeland Security, in conjunction with the Social Security Administration, to make a list of eligible voters in each state. The order also attempts to prevent the U.S. Postal Service from sending absentee ballots to those not on each state’s approved list.This order is already being met with opposition from leaders and elected officials in California.Rob BontaAttorney General Rob Bonta, who has filed more than 60 lawsuits against Trump and his administration since he took office, was among the first to publicly decry the order.”President Trump’s Executive Order marks a dangerous and unprecedented escalation in his ongoing attacks on our elections,” Bonta said on a post through social media platform X. “The power to regulate elections belongs to the States and to Congress — he has no role to play. We blocked his previous Executive Order on elections in court, and we are prepared to stop him again. The reality is that President Trump and Congressional Republicans see the writing on the wall — that they are likely to lose in the upcoming midterms — and they are pushing to make it harder for people to vote. We won’t stand idly by.” Alex PadillaCalifornia U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla also released a statement in response to the order, calling it “a sweeping illegal election ‘takeover’ executive order” and a move against mail-in voting.“Instead of focusing on lowering the cost of energy, groceries, and health care, Donald Trump is desperately attempting to take over and rig our elections and avoid accountability in November,” Padilla’s statement read in part. This executive order is a blatant, unconstitutional abuse of power.”Gavin NewsomKCRA 3 reached out to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office before Trump officially signed the executive order. In response, it sent a joint statement that includes California Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limon and California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. It reads:“As President Trump escalates his politically motivated assault on California’s safe and secure elections, we will not stand by while he sows distrust and seeks to undermine the fundamental right to vote. Californians have defended this right since the founding of our great state in 1850 — and we will not let Donald Trump burn our Democracy down 175 years later. United across branches of government, we will work together to protect our free and fair elections this November.”After Trump signed the order, Newsom posted on X saying, “We’re challenging it. See you in court.”Kevin KileyU.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley, who is running as an Independent in the midterm elections, said in a statement that the “Constitution assigns the federal role in elections policy to Congress, not the executive branch.””There are a number of common-sense reforms to improve our elections in California that would make the process smoother and promote trust. However, an executive order purporting to set nationwide elections policy is not the answer, especially one that is unworkable and that would likely disenfranchise qualified voters.”KCRA 3 is working to gather more reaction from California leaders as news develops. Stay with us for the latest.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

California leaders are speaking out against President Donald Trump’s Tuesday executive order seeking limits on mail-in ballots through a national voter list ahead of the midterm elections this year.

While this order is expected to meet legal challenges, the order calls on the Department of Homeland Security, in conjunction with the Social Security Administration, to make a list of eligible voters in each state. The order also attempts to prevent the U.S. Postal Service from sending absentee ballots to those not on each state’s approved list.

This order is already being met with opposition from leaders and elected officials in California.

Rob Bonta

Attorney General Rob Bonta, who has filed more than 60 lawsuits against Trump and his administration since he took office, was among the first to publicly decry the order.

“President Trump’s Executive Order marks a dangerous and unprecedented escalation in his ongoing attacks on our elections,” Bonta said on a post through social media platform X. “The power to regulate elections belongs to the States and to Congress — he has no role to play. We blocked his previous Executive Order on elections in court, and we are prepared to stop him again. The reality is that President Trump and Congressional Republicans see the writing on the wall — that they are likely to lose in the upcoming midterms — and they are pushing to make it harder for people to vote. We won’t stand idly by.”

Alex Padilla

California U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla also released a statement in response to the order, calling it “a sweeping illegal election ‘takeover’ executive order” and a move against mail-in voting.

“Instead of focusing on lowering the cost of energy, groceries, and health care, Donald Trump is desperately attempting to take over and rig our elections and avoid accountability in November,” Padilla’s statement read in part. This executive order is a blatant, unconstitutional abuse of power.”

Gavin Newsom

KCRA 3 reached out to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office before Trump officially signed the executive order. In response, it sent a joint statement that includes California Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limon and California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. It reads:

“As President Trump escalates his politically motivated assault on California’s safe and secure elections, we will not stand by while he sows distrust and seeks to undermine the fundamental right to vote. Californians have defended this right since the founding of our great state in 1850 — and we will not let Donald Trump burn our Democracy down 175 years later. United across branches of government, we will work together to protect our free and fair elections this November.”

After Trump signed the order, Newsom posted on X saying, “We’re challenging it. See you in court.”

Kevin Kiley

U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley, who is running as an Independent in the midterm elections, said in a statement that the “Constitution assigns the federal role in elections policy to Congress, not the executive branch.”

“There are a number of common-sense reforms to improve our elections in California that would make the process smoother and promote trust. However, an executive order purporting to set nationwide elections policy is not the answer, especially one that is unworkable and that would likely disenfranchise qualified voters.”

KCRA 3 is working to gather more reaction from California leaders as news develops. Stay with us for the latest.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel