Governor Gavin Newsom has announced plans to move forward with legislation that would make it a felony to seize ballots before the vote has been certified by state and county officials.
The proposal comes as a direct escalation of the state's efforts to protect election security, following the enactment of new legislation earlier this year that restricts unauthorized access to ballots and election materials.
According to state officials, the new proposal would create felony penalties for unlawful ballot seizures before certification, expanding the protections put in place earlier this year.
The move is seen as a response to a recent incident in Riverside County, where a sheriff seized over 650,000 ballots to investigate discrepancies in a special election.
Democrats and the state's Attorney General have expressed opposition to the sheriff's actions, with Newsom now seeking to ensure that similar investigations are blocked in the future.
The legislation would effectively prevent any individuals or officials from seizing ballots before they have been certified, with Newsom warning that those who interfere with the election process will be prosecuted.
