Newsom signs election security bills ahead of midterms

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of election-security bills on Saturday, September 19, 2026, aimed at shielding the state's voting systems from interference ahead of the November midterm elections. The legislation creates new felony penalties for seizing ballots or election records, restricts law enforcement activity near polling places, and expands voting access measures statewide. Among the central provisions is Assembly Bill 282, which makes it a felony to seize or cause the seizure of ballots, election records, or certified voting technology before election results are certified. Offenses can carry prison sentences of up to four years. Senate Bill 259 makes it a crime to interfere with a mail ballot on its way to or from a voter, or to order the seizure of ballots in transit to a local elections office. Senate Bill 884, which takes effect immediately, requires counties to open ballot dropoff locations 30 days before an election, two days earlier than usual, and allows counties to ban electioneering within up to 200 feet of polling sites.