Napa, CA — The League of Women Voters of California has filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit initiated by Rep. Darrell Issa, aiming to block the counting of mail-in ballots received after Election Day. The motion, filed last week, argues that Issa’s lawsuit could potentially disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters across the state.
Issa, a Republican congressman representing San Diego County, filed the federal lawsuit last month, claiming that counting ballots postmarked by Election Day but received after is a violation of federal law. He asserts that this practice gives an “unfair electoral advantage” to his political opponents and could put him at a disadvantage in future elections, particularly as he plans to seek re-election in 2026.
In his complaint, Issa expressed concerns that mail-in ballots, which are typically counted after Election Day, could harm his electoral prospects. He argued that such ballots provide an advantage to his challengers, claiming that they may be more likely to vote against him.
The League of Women Voters, a nonprofit dedicated to voter engagement and preventing voter disenfranchisement, sharply disagrees with Issa’s position. In its motion, the group emphasized the importance of counting all votes and the detrimental effect that blocking the counting of mail-in ballots could have on California’s electoral process. The organization also highlighted that roughly 80% of Californians vote by mail in every election, underscoring the significant impact such a ruling could have on voter participation.
“The right to vote and have those votes counted is fundamental to our democracy,” said the League in a statement. “We believe that denying voters the ability to have their ballots counted after Election Day would undermine public confidence in the fairness and accuracy of elections.”
Julia Gomez, interim managing legal director of the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties, one of the groups representing the League of Women Voters, echoed similar sentiments. “Congressman Issa’s lawsuit is an attempt to disenfranchise voters simply because they might not vote for him,” she said. “He is putting his own partisan interests ahead of the will of the people, and his legal arguments are meritless.”
The case brings attention to broader debates about election laws and voting rights, particularly in states like California, where mail-in voting has become a crucial part of the democratic process. The outcome of the lawsuit could have far-reaching implications, not only for Issa’s re-election bid but also for the future of mail-in voting in California and across the country.
As the legal battle continues, the League of Women Voters and its partners will push to ensure that the voices of California voters are not silenced by changes to the state’s voting procedures. The case is set to move forward in the coming weeks, and its resolution could set a precedent for future election-related legal challenges.