AG Rayfield Defends Order Blocking Trump Administration from Interfering with California Ballots

October 30, 2026
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AG Rayfield Defends Order Blocking Trump from Interfering w/CA Ballots

Attorney General Dan Rayfield today again backed California in its fight to protect its elections, co-leading a filing that urges a federal appeals court to reject the Trump administration’s last-minute attempt to keep about 20,000 mail ballots from being counted in an election that is already underway.

“States have successfully run elections for 250 years,” said Attorney General Rayfield. “But now, the Trump administration is trying to insert itself into the process and cast doubt on the integrity of elections—without any proof. Standing with California means standing up for the right of every state, including Oregon, to run elections voters can trust.”

The U.S. Department of Justice wants California to set aside ballots from people on a federal list it claims may not be citizens, but without offering any evidence. Previous lists from the federal government to other states have been filled with errors. Last week, Oregon and 21 other states filed a brief supporting California in district court. The judge turned down US DOJ’s request on Wednesday, and US DOJ is now asking the Ninth Circuit for an emergency ruling.

The states’ brief argues:

  • The Constitution puts states, not the president, in charge of running elections.
  • Federal law bars states from systematically dropping voters from the rolls in the 90 days before an election.
  • Courts shouldn’t change the rules once voting is underway.
  • Eligible voters could lose their votes based on a list no one has been able to check.

“For eligible voters who are concerned that their votes won’t be counted because of the federal government’s actions, know that we’re fighting in court to make sure every vote is counted,” added Attorney General Rayfield. “The U.S. Constitution and the law are on our side, and the courts have consistently agreed with us.”

Attorneys General Rayfield and New York Attorney General Letitia James led the filing of the brief. They were joined by 18 other attorneys general from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaiʻi, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

A copy of the brief is available here.