Gov. Newsom signs election security bills expanding voter access, preventing interference
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a package of 13 election security bills aimed at protecting the state's voting systems, expanding voter access and preventing interference with the election process ahead of the November midterm elections.
Supporters of the legislation say the measures will strengthen voter protections and safeguard California's voting systems, including vote-by-mail procedures that are widely used across the state.
"This is about protecting every Californian's right to be able to vote and vote how they want," said Congresswoman Aisha Wahab.
The legislation comes amid ongoing disputes over election policies and voting procedures.
"The administration is causing chaos, trying to make people fear, using vote by mail," said Deanna Kitamura, managing attorney with the Asian Law Caucus. "This fueling of chaos is very concerning, and even talking about the possibility of having federal troops or federal agents at the poll sites is very concern for us."
Wahab said public debate and national rhetoric surrounding mail-in voting helped motivate efforts to strengthen protections.
"And I want to be very clear, we've had, you know, national rhetoric, people talking about, 'well, the mail-in ballots are, you know, inappropriate. And, you know, there's a lot of non-citizens voting' and much more," Wahab said.
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According to Wahab, roughly 80% of ballots counted in California are submitted by mail.
She said she sponsored Senate Bill 259, one of the measures included in the package.
"It basically says anybody who interferes with being able to vote, mail-in their ballot, take the ballot, you name it, will face a felony charge," Wahab said.
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Newsom said the legislation is intended to safeguard vote-by-mail systems and protect California elections from interference by the federal government.
Kitamura said advocacy groups worked closely on several of the measures.
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"Well, we're really happy that the governor signed the bills. We are part of a partnership called the California Democracy Partnership, and we co-sponsored two of the bills that were signed today," she said.
According to supporters, the legislation also seeks to prevent voter discrimination, expand access for voters who are not proficient in English and make it easier to challenge voter suppression through the courts.
"Well, it will protect voters and hopefully it will give people the confidence to understand that our elections are safe and that they should feel free to vote," Kitamura said.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta also praised the measures, stating: "The Trump Administration is waging an all-out assault on our elections and voting rights..."
Bonta said California will continue defending its election system.
Wahab described the legislation as part of a broader effort to safeguard the state's democratic processes.
"I want to be very clear that this is again protecting our democracy," she said.
Supporters of the package say the measures add another layer of protection for California's election system as voters prepare to cast ballots in the November midterms.
