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Gabriel Sanchez
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Gabriel Sanchez

Ninth Circuit appeals judge since 2022, appointed by Biden; former California appellate justice.

Last refreshed: 27 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Why did Judge Sanchez warn a federal order would bring electoral chaos?

Timeline for Gabriel Sanchez

#22 26 Oct
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Background

Gabriel P. Sanchez is a judge of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, nominated by Joe Biden and confirmed in January 2022. He was an associate justice of the California Court of Appeal from 2018 to 2022 and earlier deputy legal affairs secretary to Governor Jerry Brown. On 26 October 2026 he joined the 2-1 order that the Court lacked jurisdiction over the Justice Department's California ballots appeal. His concurrence said the injunction sought would change California's rules mid-election and "usher in electoral chaos", quoting the Supreme Court.

Common Questions
Who is Judge Gabriel Sanchez of the Ninth Circuit?
Gabriel P. Sanchez is a Ninth Circuit appeals judge, appointed by Joe Biden in 2022. He previously sat on the California Court of Appeal from 2018 to 2022.Source: Federal Judicial Center
What did Judge Gabriel Sanchez say about the California ballots case?
In a concurrence on 26 October 2026 he wrote that the injunction the Justice Department sought would transform California's rules for an election already under way and "usher in electoral chaos", so the Purcell principle would bar it even with jurisdiction.Source: United States v. State of California, No. 26-7070 (9th Cir. 26 October 2026)
Who appointed Judge Gabriel Sanchez?
Joe Biden nominated Gabriel P. Sanchez to the Ninth Circuit in September 2021; the Senate confirmed him on 12 January 2022.Source: Federal Judicial Center
Source Material

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 27 October 2026. Editorial standards.