California Governor Gavin Newsom announced his intent to sue the Trump Administration over its Executive Order on mail-in ballots, following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision allowing portions of the order to proceed.
Newsom also announced new legislation moving through the California Legislature to protect electoral processes. Assembly Bill 282 establishes two new felonies: prohibiting anyone from seizing ballots or election records before results are certified (punishable up to 3 years in prison) and prohibiting anyone in authority from directing subordinates to do the same (punishable up to 4 years in prison).
Senate Bill 259 creates a felony punishable by up to 4 years in prison for someone in a position of authority who directs others to interfere with ballot delivery to a voter or return to elections officials. The bill also establishes a misdemeanor for anyone who interferes with mail ballot delivery.
The state budget includes several election-related investments: $29 million for counties to increase staffing, technology and equipment to speed up counting and increase capacity; $5 million for county-level voter outreach and education; $5 million for statewide voter outreach via the Secretary of State; and $750,000 to combat misinformation and guard against federal interference. Newsom noted he has signed more than 30 election-related bills during his time in office.