SACRAMENTO:- California leaders have welcomed the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in support of the current voting process used by Americans, saying that ensuring the right to count mail-in ballots ensures that people’s voices are heard through the democratic process.
Governor Gavin Newsom said, “This is a win for voters, plain and simple. California, like many states, utilizes vote-by-mail to increase participation in our democracy and today’s ruling helps ensure mail-in-ballots get counted and people’s voices are heard through the democratic process. Despite ongoing attacks from the Trump Administration, we will continue our work throughout the Golden State to ensure every eligible Californian participates — because democracy is strongest when we all take part.”
“Today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision is a win for voters, for the rule of law, and for the future of our democracy,” said Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. “By rejecting efforts to shorten the vote-by-mail return window, the Court protected an important safeguard that helps ensure service members, overseas voters, Californians with disabilities, and rural communities are not silenced by mail delays beyond their control. This ruling makes one thing clear: our elections belong to the people, not to partisan agendas. As Secretary of State, I will keep working to ensure every eligible Californian has the opportunity to be heard, because our democracy is strongest when every voice counts.”
“Today’s decision recognizes a basic reality: Mail delays happen. When people vote by Election Day, their ballots should not be discarded because of those delays,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Since our nation’s founding, states have been primarily responsible for regulating elections, and we are pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court has respected that authority.”
“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court to uphold state election laws on mail-in ballots law is a win for California and democracy everywhere,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón. “California has built an election system designed to expand access while maintaining the highest standards of security and integrity. We remain committed to safeguarding the right of every eligible voter to participate in our democracy and ensuring that every valid ballot is counted.”
“In California, we stand for empowering voters, safeguarding election integrity and making sure every eligible person can be part of the democratic process,” said Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. “This Supreme Court ruling affirms what California has long known: When a voter casts their ballot on time, it deserves to be counted. We will continue to fight for free and fair elections.”
“Voting by mail is a normal and important part of our democracy, and the Court is right to reject this attempt to undermine it,” said State Senator Scott Wiener, Chair of the Senate Elections Committee. “People vote in a wide variety of complex circumstances, and our democracy is strongest when we include their voices instead of rejecting them.”
“The Supreme Court made the right decision confirming that federal election-day statutes do not prevent states from counting vote-by-mail ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but received days after,” said Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, chair of Assembly Elections Committee. “Eligible voters who did everything the law required should not have their voices silenced because of mail processing changes or mail delays beyond their control. After more than 27 years administering elections, I know our responsibility is to count every eligible ballot – not create new barriers for voters. Today, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of voter enfranchisement.”
Earlier this year, Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limon and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas announced a commitment to safeguard elections from federal overreach and the recently announced budget agreement includes several key investments in the state’s election system to safeguard and speed up vote counting.