Government operations
Elections: seizure of election materials
AB 282 makes it a felony to remove ballots, election records, or certified voting technology from election officials before results are certified.
The law protects election materials while votes are being counted and results are being certified. It takes effect immediately for the November 3, 2026 statewide general election and future elections.
What the law does
- Makes unauthorized seizure, assistance with seizure, or causing the seizure of covered election materials before certification a felony punishable by 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in prison.
- Makes directing a subordinate to commit such a seizure a felony punishable by 2, 3, or 4 years in prison.
- Covers ballots, legally preserved election records, and certified voting technology removed from the custody and control of authorized elections officials.
- Leaves in place specified exceptions for court-supervised handling of election materials and voting technology.
Who it affects
- People who remove, cause the removal of, or help remove covered election materials before certification.
- Supervisors or others with authority who direct subordinates to remove covered election materials.
- County elections officials responsible for maintaining custody of election materials before certification.