Governor Gavin Newsom signed a series of 13 new bills on Saturday in Los Angeles to protect the California election process from potential interference, The Hill reported. These measures arrive as the state prepares for the upcoming midterm elections, where Democrats are closely watching the actions of the administration of President Trump.
The new laws introduce significant protections for the electoral process. One key measure makes it a felony for any authority figure to order their employees to interfere with the delivery of a mail-in ballot. Another law prohibits the seizure of election records or ballots before the official results are certified.
Officials are now also required to notify the California secretary of state and the attorney general if they become aware of any attempts to access election technology or records. This builds on a law signed in May that stops federal agents from accessing voter rolls or election technology unless they have a court order.
Governor Newsom made his position on the administration clear during the signing event
“Donald Trump won’t stop until he can exert dictatorial control over your free vote and disenfranchise millions of people this November,” Newsom said in a statement. “California will stop him at every opportunity.”
Newsom signs laws aimed at preventing election interferencehttps://t.co/KZAR5Ta8ed
— The Hill (@thehill) September 20, 2026
He emphasized the importance of these legislative efforts, noting that the state is committed to blocking interference. “We have no bigger task than fighting to protect the right to vote from interference and meddling – the future of democracy is on the line,” he added. “These bills today build upon the wall California has built to safeguard our electoral process.”
California Attorney General Rob Bonta spoke out in support of the new package on Saturday. He pointed to a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that blocked the administration of President Trump from moving forward with proposed changes to mail-in ballot voting.
While Bonta views that ruling as a positive step for California and other states, he remains focused on the future. “But we cannot, and will not, let our guard down,” Bonta said. “I have sponsored and supported multiple pieces of legislation to protect our democracy, and I’m grateful that Governor Newsom and the Legislature have now acted to further safeguard the right to vote.”
