Padilla calls the California lawsuit an abuse of power
Alex PadillaU.S. senator from California
Padilla criticizes the evidence, timing and legal basis of the federal lawsuit and pledges opposition.
“This lawsuit has no legal basis or evidence behind it and is nothing more than a blatant abuse of power designed to sow distrust in our elections and threaten Americans’ right to vote.”
Official statement
Where this statement fits
DOJ seeks to set aside flagged California ballots; Weber disputes its evidence
DOJ seeks to segregate certain California mail ballots and prevent their federal-election tabulation until citizenship is verified. It identifies more than 20,000 registrants as likely noncitizens. Shirley Weber disputes the evidence, deadline and legality of the demand.
Source and context
Official statement
About this source
Padilla criticizes the evidentiary basis and timing of the lawsuit and says he will oppose it.
Before the quotation
Padilla issued his statement after DOJ sued California and Los Angeles election officials.
After the quotation
Padilla says California's elections are safe and secure and pledges to fight the federal action.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The issue is dOJ's demand to segregate flagged California mail ballots and withhold tabulation until citizenship verification. He expressly condemns the lawsuit and requested restrictions.
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More from this case
Read the full caseWeber rejects DOJ's ballot-segregation demands
“This is an emergency of the DOJ’s creation.”Read statement
DOJ asks to set aside flagged California mail ballots
United States Department of Justice
“The United States seeks this relief to prevent unlawful dilution of American citizens’ votes and to protect the integrity of our elections.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Padilla calls the California lawsuit an abuse of power". First published: 2026-10-16. Last updated: 2026-10-16. https://disputeindex.com/events/5814-padilla-criticizes-the-evidence-timing-and-legal-basis