Newsom Bans Police Seizure of 600,000 Ballots Before June 2 Primary
Updated
Updated · CalMatters · May 28
Newsom Bans Police Seizure of 600,000 Ballots Before June 2 Primary
9 articles · Updated · CalMatters · May 28
A new California law signed Wednesday makes it illegal for police to take ballots or voting equipment from election officials, and it took effect immediately ahead of the June 2 primary.
The measure was rushed through after Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco seized more than 600,000 ballots from the county registrar in what he called a fact-finding mission on election accuracy, without evidence of improper votes.
County registrars are now barred from surrendering ballots or voting equipment to law enforcement, and the attorney general, secretary of state or local election officials can sue anyone who removes ballot packages from official custody.
Newsom said the law draws a clear line against election interference and warned it targets officials who might try to carry out the Trump administration's agenda; earlier Wednesday he also signed a separate law limiting federal access to voter rolls and election technology.
Could California’s law become a national model for states managing federal oversight of their elections?
How will conflicts between new state election laws and federal authority be resolved during an investigation?
California Fast-Tracks SB 73: Emergency Law Blocks Unauthorized Ballot Seizure and Election Interference Ahead of 2026 Primary
Overview
California urgently passed Senate Bill 73 (SB 73) to protect its elections just before the June 2 primary, following recent events that exposed security gaps. Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, the law creates strong defenses by barring unauthorized access to voter rolls and voting technology, restricting law enforcement from interfering with election workers, and making it a crime to remove ballots without a court order. These measures respond to past incidents, such as the FBI’s seizure of ballots in Georgia, and aim to ensure California’s elections remain secure, autonomous, and free from improper interference.