California Governor Signs Election Security Bill into Law to Protect Ballots and Voter Privacy
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed Senate Bill 73 into law to enhance election security measures in the state ahead of the upcoming statewide primary on June 2. The new law, which is effective immediately, restricts law enforcement's access to ballots, voter lists, rosters, and certified voting technology.
The legislation was introduced in response to an incident in Riverside County where Sheriff Chad Bianco seized over 650,000 ballots during last year's Proposition 50 Special Election. The investigation was halted due to legal challenges from California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of clarifying the rules of engagement and highlighted the penalties associated with violating the new law.
Under SB73, peace officers are prohibited from interfering with election administration unless there is an urgent public health or safety concern. Law enforcement must obtain a court order before taking possession of crucial election materials, and removing packages containing voted ballots from elections officials' custody is now considered a crime. Violations of ballot custody regulations can result in civil penalties of up to $50,000.
The legislation also mandates the attorney general to provide guidance to local election workers on handling law enforcement requests. State Senator Sabrina Cervantes, a primary author of the law, emphasized that SB73 aims to safeguard ballots, instill confidence in the election system, and ensure voters' voices are heard at the ballot box.
Sheriff Bianco, who is a Republican candidate for California governor, defended his actions by citing concerns about voting discrepancies. However, election officials refuted these claims, and Bianco criticized the decision to halt his investigation as politically motivated. The new law is designed to prevent similar incidents and uphold the integrity of California's elections.