California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation Wednesday that aims to shield the state's elections from federal interference, citing concerns about potential meddling by the Trump administration in this year’s midterms. The law took effect immediately and came just days before next Tuesday’s primary.
Key Takeaways
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation Wednesday aimed at protecting elections from federal interference ahead of next week’s primary. The law prohibits unauthorized access to voter rolls or election technology, including by federal agents.
- California's new law restricts federal agents' ability to interfere in state elections
- Newsom warns of potential Trump administration meddling in midterm elections
- Law makes it a crime to remove voted ballots from election officials' custody
The new measure prohibits any person, including federal agents, from accessing voter rolls or election technology without a court order. It also restricts law enforcement officers from disrupting election workers except in public safety emergencies. According to The Guardian, Newsom warned that "we have to be prepared for everything" because "there’s no rules any more with the Trump administration."
Voting is already underway in California's closely watched primary, where a crowded field of Democrats and two viable Republicans are competing for just two spots on the November ballot. Under the state’s open primary system, only the top two vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation.
The law also makes it a crime to knowingly remove voted ballots from the custody of election officials. This provision comes in response to recent actions by federal agencies under Trump's administration, including the FBI seizing 2020 general election ballots from Georgia’s most populous county and seeking records from previous elections in Arizona and Michigan.
Newsom has been vocal about his concerns regarding Trump's tactics, particularly in Democratic-led states where the president has deployed federal agents over local leaders' objections. He warned against underestimating someone who "doesn’t believe in free and fair elections." According to The Guardian, Newsom stated at a news conference: "I expect the worst with Trump because he’s done the worst."
In response, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told the Associated Press that President Trump is committed to ensuring Americans have full confidence in election administration. She criticized Newsom for levying what she called false attacks against the president.
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