California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed 13 bills aimed at strengthening election security, including measures targeting ballot interference, mail voting and undisclosed political content on social media.The legislation comes ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections and amid disputes between California and the Trump administration over election procedures, particularly the use of mail-in ballots. President Donald Trump has also repeatedly questioned California’s vote-counting process, claiming without evidence that delays were an attempt to manipulate election results.
Tougher rules on ballots and election records
One of the new laws makes it a felony to seize ballots, election records or certified voting technology before election results have been certified. It also applies to people who use their authority to direct someone else to carry out such a seizure.Another measure makes it a felony for someone in a position of authority to direct another person to interfere with the delivery or return of a vote-by-mail ballot. A person responsible for handling a mail ballot who interferes with its delivery to a voter could face a misdemeanor charge.The measures follow an incident in Riverside County involving Sheriff Chad Bianco, who earlier this year took possession of more than 650,000 ballots from a 2025 redistricting special election while investigating a discrepancy in the vote count. California challenged the seizure in court.Mail voting is also covered by the package. One bill extends the hours for vote-by-mail drop-off locations, while another requires election officials to provide information about early voting and allows voters to submit mail ballots at polling locations.The legislation follows a legal dispute over the Trump administration’s attempt to restrict mail voting through the US Postal Service. The US Supreme Court recently blocked the proposed changes in a California-backed victory.
New rules for political content and AI deepfakes
The package also introduces disclosure requirements for paid political content on social media.People paid by campaign committees to publish political content supporting or opposing candidates or ballot measures can face penalties if they fail to disclose that they are being paid.The measure comes after scrutiny of campaigns using social media creators to reach voters. During the recent race for Newsom’s successor, billionaire philanthropist Tom Steyer faced criticism over payments to content creators who promoted him without proper disclosure. A spokesperson for Steyer’s campaign said he supported fair compensation for their work.The legislation also addresses AI-generated political material.California has extended restrictions on materially deceptive audio and visual content, including political deepfakes, through January 2031. The rules cover manipulated material intended to deceive voters or damage a candidate’s reputation, while allowing such content when the required disclosure is included.California had previously introduced restrictions on deceptive AI-generated election content, but those rules faced legal challenges over free speech. The latest legislation takes a narrower approach.
Measures also target delays in vote counting
Another part of the package is aimed at California’s lengthy vote-counting process.Election officials will provide voters with information about early voting and returning mail ballots at polling places. The changes are intended to encourage voters to submit ballots earlier and reduce the volume of ballots that arrive for processing on Election Day.The new laws also strengthen oversight of election records and technology. Local agencies and election officials must notify the California secretary of state and attorney general within one calendar day after learning of certain warrants, subpoenas or active investigations involving election records or certified voting technology.
