October 24, 2026 - SAN DIEGO, CA – Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Rules and Administration Committee with oversight over federal elections, has released the following statement following U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) threats to California elections officials in an attempt to prevent them from calculating ballots sent to a list of allegedly “suspected” ineligible voters:

“This is NOT A DRILL: Donald Trump and Todd Blanche are trying to interfere in California elections. Trump’s DOJ has not provided any evidence for their claims of massive voter fraud. They’ve admitted that the data they point to is inaccurate and unreliable. No matter how many lawsuits they file or how many election officials they threaten, they do not have the authority to interfere.

“The Trump administration is afraid and desperate. Their attempts to take over our elections will fail.

“Election officials: We have your back.

“California: Your vote is your voice. Use it and let’s hold this administration accountable.”

Source: Senator Alex Padilla