California AB 282 makes seizing ballots or election technology a felony
August 30, 2026
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Where This Stands
Currently Unknown. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Introduced.
Version history & redline
4 versions on fileOfficial version history is partial: 4 linked texts are unavailable or incomplete. Source links remain available below.
The text diff for this stage has not been computed yet.
OpenStates mirror retained for redline only; official linked text was unavailable
The Frame
The bill establishes new criminal liability for individuals interfering with election materials, which shifts the legal consequences for unauthorized access to voting equipment and records during the certification period.
Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.
County elections officials
These officials are responsible for the security of election materials and are the primary parties whose work environment is protected by the new criminal penalties.
Local agencies
Local agencies are subject to the state-mandated local program requirements created by the new criminal statutes.
Last recorded activity August 30, 2026.
Introduced.
Summary
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific items are protected under this bill?
When does this law take effect?
What is the penalty for violating this law?
Why It Matters
The bill establishes new criminal liability for individuals interfering with election materials, which shifts the legal consequences for unauthorized access to voting equipment and records during the certification period.
News Coverage
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Criminalization of Election Interference
The bill represents a shift toward specific felony-level criminalization for the handling of election materials prior to certification.
Connected Entities
Sources
openstates.org
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy60Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment20Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz50Current news / social attention level
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