(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump attacked a recent redistricting initiative in California on Friday, which had been decisively approved by voters, framing it as an effort to undermine his electoral prospects ahead of next year’s midterm contests.

"I heard that a big lawsuit will be taking place, is, but will be taking place concerning the California hoax, where they're trying to get five more seats, and California is one of the most dishonest elections ever," he told reporters aboard Air Force One.

"California is a disgrace on voting, and they're doing something that is very illegal. So, we will be suing California on the five seats," Trump added, signaling his intent to challenge the measure in court.

He also accused California officials of distributing "10s of billions of ballots to people all over the place. Many of those people get two or three ballots," though he likely meant "tens of millions" rather than billions.

Despite being the most populous US state, California is home to roughly 39.5 million residents. The state sends ballots to all registered voters as part of efforts to make voting more accessible, particularly since the US, unlike most industrialized nations, does not designate Election Day as a public holiday.

Voter participation in the US is comparatively low, with about 60% of Americans casting ballots in presidential election years, and turnout dropping further in off-year contests like those occurring in certain states this year.

Earlier this month, California citizens strongly endorsed Proposition 50, with nearly two-thirds voting in favor, amid the ongoing political contest between Trump and Democratic state leaders.

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