Governor Signs Landmark Cervantes’ Bill to Protect California Elections from Interference
On May 27, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 73 by Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) into law to provide elections in California with improved defenses against interference. Because SB 73 included an urgency clause, its provisions took effect immediately upon the Governor's signature, ensuring the defenses it provides were in place for the June 2 statewide primary election.
“Senate Bill 73 is a direct response to efforts by the Trump Administration and local electeds to dismantle our democracy piece by piece,” said Senator Cervantes. “The enactment of SB 73 protects Californians’ sacred right to vote free from fear of intimidation or interference and safeguards the essential integrity of elections in California. I want to thank Governor Newsom and my Democratic colleagues in the Legislature, especially Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón, for their partnership in defending democracy in our Golden State.”
Senate Bill 73, a follow-up to Senate Bill 851 (Cervantes), which Governor Newsom signed into law last year, protects California elections as follows:
- Empowers the Attorney General or Secretary of State to object to authorizations by county registrars to have law enforcement officers—including federal officials—posted or deployed at voting locations or county elections offices
- Prohibits individuals from giving law enforcement—including federal law enforcement—access to voting machines or voter rolls without a court order
- Protects the chain of custody of voted ballots after the certification of election results by making it a felony to take ballots from the custody of a county registrar