Sounds “Desperate”: Secretary of State Shirley Weber Calls Out Trump’s Sudden Switch on Mail-In Voting

October 12, 2026

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber criticized President Trump's recent shift in stance on mail-in voting, characterizing it as a desperate political move after years of denouncing the practice as fraudulent. During a media briefing focused on the November 2026 election, Weber defended California's voting systems and rejected federal demands to share unredacted voter registration data, citing privacy concerns for the state's 23 million registered voters. She emphasized that research shows no evidence of significant voter fraud in California and encouraged voters to use various voting methods including mail-in ballots and official drop boxes.

Who is affected

California's approximately 23 million registered voters
President Donald Trump and conservative voters concerned about competitive disadvantage
Poll workers in California
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Attorney General Rob Bonta
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin
Four states (including California) warned to cooperate with federal voter roll review
Over 250,000 potential non-citizens flagged by DHS

What action is being taken

Weber is actively providing voter information and expanding voter outreach ahead of the General Election
County elections officials are mailing ballots to registered voters
Weber's office is declining to share unredacted statewide voter roll data with federal authorities
Trump is pursuing restrictions on mail ballots through an executive order attempting to force states to comply with U.S. Postal Service tracking rules
The Attorney General's office is enforcing voter protection measures

Why it matters

This matters because it addresses fundamental questions about election integrity, voter access, and the balance between state and federal authority over elections. The conflict highlights ongoing tensions about mail-in voting security, with California officials defending their systems against federal scrutiny while Trump reverses his long-held position due to political realities. The protection of voter privacy and prevention of voter intimidation are critical to maintaining public confidence in democratic processes, especially given concerns about potential disenfranchisement of voters who rely on mail-in ballots.

What's next

The final day to register to vote online or by mail postmark for the November election is October 19, 2026
Voters who experience intimidation or obstacles should immediately contact local election workers or report to the Election Protection Coalition by calling or texting 866-OUR-VOTE
The Attorney General's office will prosecute anyone who attempts to attack or assault a poll worker to the full extent of the law

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint