California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs new state election legislation on Wednesday aimed at reducing the risk of federal interference ahead of the June statewide primary. The law, Senate Bill 73, takes effect immediately and prohibits any person—including federal agents—from accessing voter rolls or election technology without a court order. It also limits law enforcement actions that could disrupt election workers, except in public safety emergencies, and makes it a crime to knowingly remove voted ballots from the custody of election officials.
Newsom signs the measure days before the June 2 primary, where the top two vote-getters in California’s open primary system advance to the November ballot. He describes the law as a response to what he calls “legitimate anxiety” about tactics by the Trump administration. His office cites concerns about possible intimidation or ballot removal.
The White House disputes Newsom’s claims and says the president remains committed to confidence in election administration, also stating officials have no plans to send immigration law enforcement agents to polling locations. The signing follows a prior dispute involving Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who seized hundreds of thousands of ballots from a 2025 special election; election officials and state legal actions challenged that move and a court ordered him to stop. Multiple outlets report the measure is intended to address similar actions going forward.
