POLITICS

Newsom Signs Law Limiting Ballot Seizures Ahead of Primary

PUBLISHED May 28, 2026, 1:16 AM ET

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 73 on Wednesday to restrict law enforcement and federal access to ballots, voter rolls, and certified voting technology, effective immediately; the law criminalizes unauthorized seizure of cast ballots and requires court orders for access to election materials as voting proceeds this week. The measure responds to a recent Riverside County seizure of more than 600,000 ballots and references federal actions such as a Fulton County search; it will be in force for the June 2 primary, drawing statements from Newsom and prompting election officials to implement new safeguards and protocols immediately.

By Emily Rhodes | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

2021: FBI search of Fulton County election office cited as federal intervention example.
Early 2026: Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco seized more than 600,000 ballots from the registrar.
May 27, 2026: Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 73, which took effect immediately.
Late May 2026: Officials and counties implemented protocols ahead of the primary as voting was underway.
June 2, 2026: California held its primary under the new legal restrictions.

News Intelligence

This new law, SB 73, directly impacts your voting rights. It aims to protect your ballot from unauthorized seizure and restricts access to voting materials. It's a move towards greater election security. Check if your county has updated voting protocols.

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Who Benefited

State election administrators and voters benefit from immediate legal protections that limit unauthorized access to ballots, voter rolls and voting technology, aiming to secure election operations ahead of the June 2 primary.

Who Impacted

Law enforcement officials and political actors who previously asserted authority to seize ballots or access voter data, such as Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, face criminal penalties and reduced discretion under the new statute.

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