Newsom signs 13 bills making it a felony to seize California ballots before certification

Assembly Bill 282 makes it a felony to seize ballots, election records or certified voting machines before results are certified. It is also a felony for an official to order a subordinate to do it. A May law already covers federal agents. They cannot touch voter rolls or election technology without a court order. The new bill builds on that. Lawmakers cast the package as a shield against federal interference. The Justice Department has sued California and about 30 other states for refusing to hand over their voter files.

• Another bill requires election officials to notify the secretary of state and attorney general of any attempt to obtain election records or technology.
• The package also restricts law enforcement activity near polling places, expands ballot drop-off locations and requires translated materials.
• California votes Nov. 3, 2026.