Assemblymember Valencia issues statement on the Lawsuit Against the O.C. Registrar of Voters

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember Valencia (D-Anaheim) issued the following statement:

“The lawsuit filed today by the U.S. Department of Justice against the Orange County Registrar of Voters is not about transparency, it is about overreach. The lawsuit is an unnecessary escalation that misrepresents what actually happened. Rather than acknowledge that the Registrar complied with state law, provided requested records, and proposed a secure and lawful way to share additional data, the DOC chose to sue anyway.

The public servants at the Registrar are doing their due diligence, balancing compliance with federal law while respecting laws set by the State of California. Suing a local elections office for protecting sensitive voter information does not strengthen transparency, it undermines trust. Our communities rely on election systems that are secure, accessible, and above all, trusted. The DOJ is shifting attention and resources away from that mission, especially in communities like mine that already face barriers to civic participation. The people who will feel the impact of this first aren’t in courtrooms, they are at kitchen tables, wondering if their vote and data will be safe.

Let’s not forget the claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. Yet in 2024, those same systems delivered results that were accepted by many who once cast doubt on them. That inconsistency makes actions like this lawsuit even more damaging. We cannot build trust in a free and fair electoral process by punishing those who follow the law. The Registrar has demonstrated a willingness to work with federal authorities, now it’s time for the DOJ to do the same.”

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Assemblymember Valencia proudly represents the 68th Assembly district which includes the cities of Anaheim, Orange and Santa Ana. Valencia chairs the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee.