Governor Gavin Newsom signed an emergency election bill on May 27, 2026, that took effect immediately as an urgency measure. The law restricts access by federal agents and law enforcement to voter rolls or election technology without a court order. It also prohibits law enforcement officers from disrupting election workers except in genuine public safety emergencies.

The legislation creates criminal penalties for the improper removal, confiscation, or interference with ballots, voting machines, or voter rolls. California Senate Democrats described SB 73 as designed to protect elections from outside interference and enforce new safety measures for ballots and polling locations. They stated the urgency clause ensures protections apply to the June 2 statewide primary.

SB 73 bars federal agents from accessing voting machines or voter rolls without a court order, designates ballot removal from county registrar custody as a felony, and restricts peace officers from interfering with election administration except in urgent public safety threats. The bill was introduced by Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares and backed by Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire.

Governor Newsom framed the law as protection against potential interference from the Trump administration, though Trump administration officials have indicated no plans to deploy immigration agents or federal law enforcement to polling places nationwide. The measure took effect days before California’s primary election without following standard legislative procedures, bypassing normal timelines for review and implementation.