In a now-familiar pattern of post-election rhetoric, former President Donald Trump has once again claimed voter fraud before the polls have even closed. This time, the target is California’s Prop 50, a redistricting ballot measure that polls suggest will pass by a significant margin.

On Tuesday morning, Trump took to Truth Social to declare the upcoming election “rigged” without providing any substantive evidence. In his characteristic style, he alleged that mail-in voting would somehow disadvantage Republican voters, a claim that experts have repeatedly debunked.

The proposition, which focuses on congressional redistricting, is currently polling 20 percentage points ahead. Election analysts expect a clear victory, with most news organizations likely to call the race immediately after polls close at 8 pm PT.

Trump’s claims of potential “legal and criminal review” appear to be part of a broader strategy of challenging election results preemptively. This approach has become a hallmark of his political messaging, despite lacking credible evidence of widespread voter fraud.

The former president’s allegations come alongside his announcement of election monitors across California, a move that suggests continued skepticism about electoral processes. However, election officials and independent observers consistently affirm the integrity of mail-in voting and overall election procedures.

While Trump’s statements may energize his base, they continue to undermine public confidence in democratic institutions. Election experts emphasize that mail-in voting has been a secure and reliable method of voting for decades, with extensive safeguards against potential fraud.

As California prepares to vote on Prop 50, the focus remains on the potential impacts of redistricting and the democratic process, rather than unfounded claims of electoral manipulation.