California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a sweeping package of election laws designed to prevent ballot seizures, voter intimidation, and undisclosed political influence ahead of November’s midterm elections. Locals are fuming at the mere notion of what these laws imply.
The new protections create felony penalties for people who seize ballots, election records, or certified voting equipment before election results are officially certified.
According to the California Governor’s Office, and shared to X, the legislation is intended to defend the state against potential interference from President Donald Trump’s administration or any other outside actor.
“California will stop him at every opportunity,” Newsom said while accusing Trump of seeking greater control over elections. Newsom added that protecting voting rights from political meddling represented California’s most important responsibility because the future of democracy was at stake.
AB 282 makes it a felony to seize or help seize ballots, election records or voting technology before certification. The law also applies to officials who direct people under their authority to carry out such seizures.
SB 259 establishes additional criminal penalties for supervisors who order someone to interfere with the delivery or return of a mail-in ballot. Individuals responsible for a ballot may also face misdemeanor charges if they intentionally prevent its delivery.
The package additionally targets deceptive online political content. AB 502 strengthens California’s rules governing materially misleading campaign advertisements, while AB 686 extends restrictions on maliciously distributed deepfake audio and video through 2031.
Paid political influencers are also covered. Under AB 1130, people campaigns that compensate to promote or oppose candidates and ballot measures online may face penalties if they fail to disclose that payment.
Newsom’s office linked the legislation to Trump’s previous statements about deploying federal officers near polling places and obtaining access to state voter information and election records.
Locals Are Up in Arms
Newsom’s announcement quickly drew thousands of replies, including angry accusations that California’s election system cannot be trusted.
One critic branded the state “Fraudifornia,” writing, “California…is the laughing stock of the world when it comes to elections. Third world countries count their ballots faster than California does.” The reply attracted hundreds of likes within hours. Another said, “California is a joke; you can walk up to a Kiosk at the DMV wanting to register your vehicle or get a copy of a driver’s license.“
Other users responded with hostile memes and images mocking Newsom’s claim that the legislation would protect voters. However, the criticism also sparked pushback from supporters, including one user who questioned how military personnel stationed overseas could vote without access to mail ballots.
The replies reflected the intensely partisan reaction to Newsom’s confrontation with President Donald Trump, with critics portraying the legislation as political theater and supporters arguing that restrictions on mail-in voting could disenfranchise Americans unable to vote in person.
