Committee advances bill making pre‑certification seizure of ballots a felony; refers to Public Safety

Chair Pellerin told the committee that recent incidents in multiple states motivated AB 282, which would criminalize seizure or attempted seizure of ballots, election records or certified voting equipment prior to certification.

"Specifically, it will make it a felony to seize, cause or assist in the seizure of ballots, election records or certified voting technology before election results are certified by the elections official, and that would be punishable up to 3 years in prison," Chair Pellerin said, adding that directing a subordinate to do the same would be punishable by up to four years. He framed the bill as necessary to protect the counting of every lawfully cast vote.

The committee advanced AB 282 with the recommendation that Senate amendments be concurred in, and the clerk recorded that the bill was also referred to the Committee on Public Safety as the next step; disposition in the committee was recorded as out 5 to 2.

Why it matters: supporters argued the bill is a direct response to attempts in other states to seize ballots and records and is intended to protect state election officials' authority and the integrity of certified election results.