California Governor Signs Bills to Strengthen Election Security and Protect Mail-In Voting
Governor Gavin Newsom approved legislation expanding mail-in ballot drop-off hours, criminalizing the seizure of ballots and election records, and requiring disclosure of paid political content on social media.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a suite of election-security bills on Sunday, aiming to expand mail-in voting access and deter interference with election processes. One measure extends the operating hours for ballot drop-off locations, while another makes it a felony to seize ballots or election records, a response to a recent incident in Riverside County where a sheriff took possession of hundreds of thousands of ballots.
The package also includes provisions that would penalize individuals who fail to disclose paid political content on social media platforms, a rule prompted by concerns over undisclosed influencer payments in recent campaigns.
"California is meeting the moment," Secretary of State Shirley Weber said, emphasizing the state's commitment to safeguarding democratic processes.
Newsom highlighted the mail-in voting expansion as a safeguard against attempts to restrict the practice, referencing recent Supreme Court actions that blocked federal proposals to limit mail voting. The governor framed the legislation as a defense of voting rights amid ongoing national debates over election integrity.