Padilla Advocates for Protection Against Election Interference Amid Trump Election Chaos

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee with oversight over federal elections and California's former Secretary of State, convened a voting rights breakfast roundtable with Senate Democrats' Election Protection Task Force and faith organizations and civil rights groups to sound the alarm on the Supreme Court's rollback of voting rights and President Trump's election interference efforts. During the event, Padilla discussed legislative and oversight efforts to strengthen federal elections and previewed a bill he will be introducing to increase accountability for Trump's continued attempts to undermine and interfere in federal elections.

At the roundtable, attendees discussed their concerns about the threats to voting rights and the Trump Administration's ongoing threats to federal elections. The event was held to mark the sixth anniversary of former Congressman John Lewis' passing and Padilla underscored the importance of continuing Lewis' voting rights work which remains critically important ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The breakfast was co-hosted by the Faithful Democracy coalition, and opening remarks were delivered by Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Bishop William J. Barber II and Rev. Dr. Della J. Owens-Barber, and Rabbi David Saperstein.

"This is an interfaith group and it's beautiful to see so many different faith traditions united by the common belief that everybody deserves to be treated with dignity and that every voice deserves to be heard by our government," said Senator Padilla. "As we remember the life and the legacy of John Lewis, I also reflect on not just the religious and faith leaders that he marched with, but those that marched with him. There's 110 days between now and Election Day. And clearly, we have a lot of work to do."

Amid President Trump's unlawful attempts to take over elections, Padilla emphasized his upcoming bill would strengthen election safeguards and hold accountable those who attempt to interfere with elections.

"I used to serve as California Secretary of State, so I know how elections work in California and through the network of secretaries around the country, and I can assure you our elections are safe. They are secure," continued Senator Padilla. "But our democracy is strongest when every eligible voter has an easy opportunity to vote and have their vote counted."

In addition to Padilla, the roundtable included remarks from U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D- Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) also attended. The roundtable also included remarks from Bishop William J. Barber II, President of Repairers of the Breach and Co-Chair of the Poor People's Campaign, Rev. Dr. Della J. Owens-Barber, Rabbi David Saperstein from the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Rev. Paul Raushenbush, President & CEO of Interfaith Alliance, Maya Wiley, President & CEO of Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Haris Tarin, VP of Policy and Programming of Muslim Public Affairs Council, Laurie Carafone, Executive Director of NETWORK Advocates for Catholic Social Justice, Harman Singh, Executive Director of the Sikh Coalition, Darcy Hirsh, VP of Government Relations & Advocacy at the National Council of Jewish Women, Bishop Julius C. Trimble, General Secretary of the General Board of Church and Society, Ria Chakrabarty, Senior Policy Director at Hindus for Human Rights, Bishop Vashti McKenzie, President of the National Council of Churches, Rev. Carlos Malavé, President and Founder of the Latino Christian National Network, Sr. Carol Zinn, Executive Director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, Juan Proaño, CEO of LULAC, Margaret Mitchell, CEO of YWCA USA, and Demetria McCain, Director of Policy at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.

As California's former Secretary of State, Padilla knows first-hand the importance of taking proactive steps to protect the fundamental right to vote. Last month, Padilla and Schumer convened a Rules Committee Democrats and Senate Democrats' Election Protection Task Force spotlight forum focused on state and local responses to combat efforts by the Trump Administration to undermine election administration in the upcoming midterm elections. Padilla and his Senate colleagues also demanded answers from Trump Administration officials about their lack of election security preparation, insufficient coordination with Congress and election officials, and unsupported public claims about voting system vulnerabilities.

Video of Padilla's remarks from today's roundtable is available here.

Full livestream of the event is available here.

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