Newsom signs 13 laws to protect elections in California — The Hill
California Governor Gavin Newsom in the United States signed a package of 13 laws in Los Angeles aimed at protecting the state's election process from possible interference ahead of the midterm elections. The Hill reports.
Newsom, who represents the Democratic Party, previously stated that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump may try to interfere in the upcoming elections. In his statement, the governor stressed that California would counter such attempts and protect voting rights.
Protection of ballots and election data
The package of laws, in particular, prohibits the seizure of ballots or election records before the official certification of voting results. It also provides for felony criminal liability for officials who order subordinates to obstruct the delivery of a ballot sent by mail.
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One of the laws requires election officials to notify the California secretary of state and the state attorney general if they become aware of an attempt to obtain election records or technologies used during voting.
Previous steps by the state
In May, Newsom also signed a law prohibiting federal agents from accessing voter rolls or election technologies without a court order.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta supported the new legislative package. He also mentioned a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, which supported California and other Democratic-leaning states in blocking changes to mail-in voting proposed by the Trump administration. Democrats voiced concerns about possible interference by the Trump administration in the November elections, in which the Republican Party is seeking to retain its majority in Congress.
