Newsom Moves to Block Seizure of ‘Suspicious’ Ballots — Trump DOJ Says Fraud Investigations Will Continue
Big League Politics
New California election law creates felony penalties for certain ballot seizures before results are certified.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a sweeping package of election laws that creates new felony penalties for seizing ballots and election records before election results have been certified, setting up another confrontation between California and the Trump administration over election enforcement.
Newsom signed the package Saturday as California prepares for the November midterm elections.
One of the measures, Assembly Bill 282, makes it a felony to seize — or cause or assist in the seizure of — ballots, election records, or certified voting technology before election officials certify the results.
The law also makes it a felony for someone in a position of authority to direct a subordinate to carry out such a seizure.
Newsom’s office openly framed the legislation as a response to President Donald Trump and federal efforts involving election records and voting systems.
“California will stop him at every opportunity,” Newsom said while announcing the package, arguing that the laws are necessary to protect the state’s elections from federal interference.
AB 282 is only one part of the package.
Senate Bill 259 creates additional criminal penalties involving interference with the delivery or return of mail-in ballots.
Another measure, AB 1664, requires local governments and election officials to notify the California Secretary of State and Attorney General after learning of a warrant, subpoena, or active law-enforcement investigation involving the search, seizure, or retention of election records or certified voting technology.