California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Friday that the state will send every voter a mail-in ballot for the November presidential election.  

The decision sets up a potential legal showdown over California's presidential election, as the move has been criticized by national Republicans as a pathway to possible large-scale abuse.

With the state still under stay-at-home orders and facing a future of unknowns from the coronavirus outbreak, the Democratic governor said sending postage-paid ballots to every registered voter was the best solution to addressing the anxiety felt by many people about gathering in large groups that are breeding grounds for the virus.

In-person voting places will remain available for those who might need them. Strict social distancing measures would be used at those locations. 

It wasn't immediately clear how many would be available or where they would be located.