Judge Bars California Governor Newsom from Overstepping Powers with Covid-19 Directives

Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency in March and issued more than 50 executive orders over the pandemic, including requiring vote-by-mail ballots to be sent to the state’s 22 million registered voters. Superior Court Judge Sarah Heckman ruled that one of his orders was “an unconstitutional exercise of legislative power.” The judge also issued an injunction barring the governor from using his emergency powers for action that “amends, alters, or changes existing statutory law or makes new statutory law or legislative policy.” Newsom has 10 days to raise new challenges or the decision will be final.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been barred by a judge from overstepping his powers and making controversial coronavirus directives that could change state laws.

Since declaring a state of emergency in mid-March, Newsom has issued more than 50 executive orders over the pandemic — including ones on how people vote in the election, the Los Angeles Times noted.

Sutter County Superior Court Judge Sarah Heckman on Monday tentatively ruled that one of his orders — requiring vote-by-mail ballots to be sent to the state’s 22 million registered voters — was “an unconstitutional exercise of legislative power.”

The judge also issued an injunction barring the governor from using his emergency powers for action that “amends, alters, or changes existing statutory law or makes new statutory law or legislative policy.”

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