The Overview
If you supervise workers who handle vote-by-mail ballots in California, directing them to interfere with ballot delivery or return is now a felony. California's Elections: vote by mail ballots (SB 259) toughens penalties for anyone who obstructs the vote-by-mail process, and Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed it Sept. 19, 2026. A Utah postal worker was accused of discarding about 300 mail ballots before the state's primary, according to the Associated Press. The law took effect immediately upon signing, enacted as an urgency statute.
What the Law Does
Under existing California law, interfering with the return of a completed vote-by-mail ballot was already a misdemeanor. SB 259 adds a misdemeanor for interfering with a ballot's delivery to a voter, and creates a new felony for any supervisor who directs subordinates to interfere with ballot delivery or return.
Legislative Status
Sen. Aisha Wahab, a Democrat, was the lead sponsor of the bill, with five cosponsors: Lowenthal, Connolly, Garcia, Haney and Kalra.
The Senate passed the bill 30-9 on May 28, 2025. The Assembly passed it 59-16 on Aug. 28, 2026. The Senate concurred in Assembly amendments 30-10 on Aug. 30.
Sen. Wahab described the bill as "a response to the federal and local actors that have interfered with elections by undermining or obstructing the vote-by-mail process," according to The Center Square. The California Association of Clerks and Election Officials opposed the bill unless specified conditions were met, according to an Orange County Office of Legislative Affairs roundup.
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