The League of Women Voters of California recently supported SB 73 saying "California must be clear that its election systems will be governed by law, expertise, and transparent processes, not by pressure from Washington. SB 73 reinforces state authority, protects ballot security, and helps ensure that every vote is counted through systems free from improper interference."  Both of our local legislators, Senator Monique Limón and Assemblymember Gregg Hart, supported this bill.

SB 73 strengthens California’s existing election safeguards in this way:

• Prohibiting any person from providing unauthorized access, disruption, modification, or seizure of voter rolls, voter lists, or certified voting technology to law enforcement agents — including federal agents — absent a court order or investigation into specific violations of California election law.
• Restricting peace officers from interfering with election administration or disrupting election workers carrying out their duties, except in urgent public safety emergencies.
• Requiring the California Department of Justice to issue guidance to county election officials on how to respond to requests from law enforcement seeking access to areas where ballots are cast, processed, or handled.
• Increasing protections against illegal removal or seizure of voted ballots and establishing criminal penalties for knowingly taking ballots from election officials.