California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced four new resources to protect elections ahead of the Tuesday, November 3, 2026, general election. The resources address concerns about seizure of election materials, law enforcement access to voting sites, intimidation of voters and poll workers, and misinformation about voting.
A legal alert outlines California's chain-of-custody requirements for handling ballots and election materials and provides guidance to minimize disruption if law enforcement officials attempt to obtain search warrants for election-related materials. A law enforcement bulletin pursuant to Senate Bill 73 details how election officials should respond to law enforcement requests involving election sites, including requirements to immediately notify the Attorney General, Secretary of State, and county officials of any such requests.
The bulletin also describes restrictions on armed law enforcement and security personnel at polling places, limits on law enforcement interference with election administration, and requirements for securing and preserving chain-of-custody of election records. It restricts law enforcement access to or seizure of ballots, voter lists, certified voting technology, and other election materials.
Another law enforcement bulletin details California laws prohibiting election interference, voter intimidation, and voter deception. It outlines felonies for using coercion or intimidation to induce or compel voting for a particular person or measure, or exchanging money or value in exchange for voting in a certain way.
A consumer alert warns of prevalent sources of election misinformation, particularly artificial intelligence and social media. California law makes it a crime to intentionally mislead voters about their eligibility to vote or about where and when to vote.
Bonta urged all Californians who have not yet voted to cast their ballots as soon as possible. Every eligible voter has received a mail ballot and can return it at an official drop box, by mail, or vote in person before or on election day. To avoid postal delays, voters are encouraged to use a drop box or vote in person. Voters mailing ballots should bring them to a post office counter and request they be postmarked. Same-day voter registration is available in person through election day.