Election Protections Bill Signed Into Law Days Before Primary
The law imposes felony penalties and up to three years in prison for unauthorized access to ballots, voter rolls and voting technology.
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 73 on Wednesday, banning law enforcement from seizing ballots, voter rolls, or election materials ahead of the state's June 2 primary.
- The legislation directly addresses Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a GOP gubernatorial candidate who seized more than 650,000 ballots while pursuing disputed fraud claims in his county.
- Authored by Sen. Sabrina Cervantes and Sen. Tom Umberg, the statute protects election workers from unauthorized interference and makes violations punishable by up to three years in prison and a $1,000 fine.
- The League of Women Voters California praised the law as essential protection, while critics intensified scrutiny of Bianco's previous ties to the Oath Keepers extremist organization.
- Signed six days before the June 2 primary, the measure expands safeguards established after federal officials monitored California's 2025 redistricting election, reinforcing protections against political interference.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Cal Matters
This article is also available en español. Read it here. Under a new law that Governor Gavin Newsom signed on Wednesday, law enforcement officers will be prohibited from interfering in the California elections, just in time for the June 2 primary elections. The law, which comes into effect immediately, criminalizes the act of removing ballot papers from the custody of a local election official, as did earlier this year the Riverside County Gover…
thepress.net
Election protections bill signed into law days before primary
(The Center Square) – With just days to go until California’s June 2 primary election, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an election protections bill into law that aims to prevent federal law enforcement agencies from interfering with the state’s elections.
Governor Newsom Signs Senator Cervantes’ Bill Limiting Law Enforcement Access to Ballots Days Before June Primary
On May 27th, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 73 by Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) into law to provide elections in California with improved defenses against interference. Because SB 73 included an urgency clause, its provisions took effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature, ensuring the defenses it provides are in place for the June 2nd statewide primary election. “Senate Bill 73 is a direct response to efforts by the T…
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