Assembly approves SB 73 to tighten protections against election interference
May 22, 2026 | California State Assembly, House, Legislative, California
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The California State Assembly on May 7 approved Senate Bill 73, a measure supporters said will strengthen safeguards around ballots, voting equipment and voter records and give election officials and prosecutors clearer legal tools to respond to interference. The Assembly approved the bill 54–16 and sent it to the Senate with immediate transmittal.
Assemblymember Pellerin, presenting SB 73 on behalf of Senator Cervantes, said the bill is “about protecting the integrity, security, and lawful administration of California elections.” She told colleagues that the measure builds on prior election‑security legislation and aims to reinforce custody and access rules for ballots and voting systems.
Opponents argued the bill could clash with federal law and limit local investigative authority. “This bill is unconstitutional because it would interfere with the federal government's … enforcement,” Assemblymember De Maio said, arguing the measure could put state officials “on a collision course with federal authorities” and delay local investigations.
Supporters said the bill protects election workers and prevents politically motivated seizures of ballots. Assemblymember Jackson said the measure would ensure ballots are handled by trained personnel and that investigations do not lead to ballots being moved to inappropriate locations: “We have got to make sure that people who handle the ballots are people who are trained on the proper way to handle ballots.”
Assemblymember Berman criticized public rhetoric that sows distrust in elections. “Voters lose faith in democracy when presidents lie about the faith of our elections,” Berman said, saying the bill is a response to attacks on election administration.
After extended debate, the clerk recorded 54 ayes and 16 noes on both the urgency clause and the measure itself. The Assembly announced immediate transmittal to the Senate.
The measure’s supporters framed SB 73 as a defensive step to keep ballots secure and to limit unauthorized access to voting systems without judicial authorization; critics urged further bipartisan work and raised concerns about federal preemption and local investigative capacity. The Assembly’s action sends the bill back to the Senate for further processing.
Assemblymember Pellerin, presenting SB 73 on behalf of Senator Cervantes, said the bill is “about protecting the integrity, security, and lawful administration of California elections.” She told colleagues that the measure builds on prior election‑security legislation and aims to reinforce custody and access rules for ballots and voting systems.
Opponents argued the bill could clash with federal law and limit local investigative authority. “This bill is unconstitutional because it would interfere with the federal government's … enforcement,” Assemblymember De Maio said, arguing the measure could put state officials “on a collision course with federal authorities” and delay local investigations.
Supporters said the bill protects election workers and prevents politically motivated seizures of ballots. Assemblymember Jackson said the measure would ensure ballots are handled by trained personnel and that investigations do not lead to ballots being moved to inappropriate locations: “We have got to make sure that people who handle the ballots are people who are trained on the proper way to handle ballots.”
Assemblymember Berman criticized public rhetoric that sows distrust in elections. “Voters lose faith in democracy when presidents lie about the faith of our elections,” Berman said, saying the bill is a response to attacks on election administration.
After extended debate, the clerk recorded 54 ayes and 16 noes on both the urgency clause and the measure itself. The Assembly announced immediate transmittal to the Senate.
The measure’s supporters framed SB 73 as a defensive step to keep ballots secure and to limit unauthorized access to voting systems without judicial authorization; critics urged further bipartisan work and raised concerns about federal preemption and local investigative capacity. The Assembly’s action sends the bill back to the Senate for further processing.
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