Should I rake up the leaves in my garden and put in compost or just leave them on the ground and put the cedar mulch over them?

We mow ours & leave them on the lawn. You can't tell they were there & the mulch is good.
Patty

Yes, I do that on my lawn as well. These leaves are in the flower garden and makes that area look messy. I normally apply mulch in the winter to protect the plants but was afraid that putting the mulch on top of the uncomposted leaves would not be good.

The leaves in the flower bed will break down to mulch eventually. Or compost, I guess. I don't think it will hurt to mulch over the leaves.
Patty

I always use my mulching mower to grind ALL my yard debris as long as it is not too large. This includes all my annuals and perennials that I cut back and pull out of my gardens. Puts lots of organic material and nutrients back into my yard. I cover the leaves in my beds with fresh shredded mulch each fall and spring.