News · CA
California court orders sheriff to return seized ballots
Elections and votingThe California Supreme Court ruled that a sheriff unlawfully seized more than 650,000 ballots and must return them.
The Ballot California News DeskSep 25, 2026
Elections and voting coverage
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News · CA
California court orders 650,000 Prop. 50 ballots returned
Elections and votingThe California Supreme Court ruled that the Riverside sheriff unlawfully seized the ballots and ordered their return.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 25, 2026
News · CA
California sheriff ordered to return confiscated ballots
Elections and votingThe return order changes who holds ballots seized during a voter-fraud inquiry but does not establish that fraud occurred.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 25, 2026
News · CA
California voter ID argument centers on election rules
Elections and votingA Los Angeles Times contributor is urging California to adopt an identification law intended to ensure votes count.
The Ballot California DeskSep 24, 2026
Candidate profile · CA
Nathan Deer in California’s 11th District House race
Elections and votingNathan Deer is listed as an NNE candidate in the contested 2026 general election for California’s 11th Congressional District.
The Ballot California News DeskSep 24, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs 13 laws, cites election interference by Trump
Elections and votingGov. Gavin Newsom signed 13 measures into law and linked the package to concerns about Trump’s involvement in California elections.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 23, 2026
News · CA
California governor signs tribal gaming compact bills
Elections and votingThe signed legislation ratifies expanded gaming agreements between California and tribal governments.
The Ballot California News DeskSep 22, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs law naming Sept. 25 Dolly Parton Day
Elections and votingCalifornia will recognize the late country star with a commemorative day established in state law.
The Ballot California DeskSep 21, 2026
Candidate profile · CA
Candidate profile: Saikat Chakrabarti in California’s 11th
Elections and votingSaikat Chakrabarti is one of four candidates listed in California’s 11th Congressional District race for the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 21, 2026
News · CA
California governor signs tribal gambling bills
Elections and votingThe governor signed several state measures concerning tribal gambling, turning attention to their individual provisions and implementation.
The Ballot California News DeskSep 21, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs bill on military deployment authority
Elections and votingThe California measure is intended to protect state sovereignty and guard against military deployments that lack authorization.
The Ballot California DeskSep 21, 2026
News · CA
California governor orders review of AI ‘kill switch’
Elections and votingThe governor signed an order to explore a way to stop AI systems, beginning a policy review rather than creating a final mechanism.
The Ballot California News DeskSep 21, 2026
News · CA
Governor signs California Voting Rights Act of 2026
Elections and votingSenator Cervantes is championing the newly signed measure, which concerns elections and voting in California.
The Ballot California DeskSep 21, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs 13 election bills aimed at Trump interference
Elections and votingThe California laws are intended to prevent Donald Trump from interfering in midterm elections and are not tied to a specific race.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 21, 2026
News · CA
Newsom announces California order regulating AI companies
Elections and votingGov. Gavin Newsom announced an executive order aimed at regulating artificial intelligence companies in California.
The Ballot California News DeskSep 21, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs bills limiting election interference
Elections and votingThe California laws seek to restrict law enforcement interference with ballots and election administration before November.
The Ballot California DeskSep 21, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs bills aimed at protecting state elections
Elections and votingGov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation intended to prevent Donald Trump from gaining control over California’s election administration.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 20, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs California election protection bills
Elections and votingThe measures seek to guard California elections from Trump interference and increase transparency in election administration.
The Ballot California DeskSep 20, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs 13 California election bills
Elections and votingThe governor said the package is intended to protect voting and ballots from interference, citing concerns involving President Trump.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 20, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs California election protection laws
Elections and votingThe package creates felony penalties for seizing ballots and interfering with election systems before results are certified.
The Ballot California News DeskSep 20, 2026
News · CA
Prop. 5’s recall-election changes are not specified
Elections and votingProp. 5 is described as changing California recall elections, but its exact rules and election date are not identified.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 19, 2026
News · CA
Newsom Signs ‘Leno’s Law’ at Jay Leno’s Garage
Elections and votingCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the car-related measure known as “Leno’s Law” during a visit to Jay Leno’s Garage.
The Ballot California DeskSep 18, 2026
News · CA
California GOP official apologizes over dead-voter claim
Elections and votingThe party official apologized for saying dead people voted but continues examining the issue independently of any identified race.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 18, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs SB 1274 recognizing industrial cities
Elections and votingThe new California law recognizes the state’s industrial cities and is not directly connected to an election or candidate race.
The Ballot California News DeskSep 18, 2026
Race preview · CA
Three candidates are running in California’s 14th District
Elections and votingSuzanne Chenault, Carin Elam and Alisha Lokelani Cordes are running in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
The Ballot California DeskSep 17, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs phased smog exemption for collector cars
Elections and votingSenate Bill 1392 will gradually exempt qualifying collector vehicles from California smog certification requirements beginning in 2028.
The Ballot California DeskSep 17, 2026
News · CA
Newsom rules out 2028 run if Harris enters race
Elections and votingCalifornia Gov. Newsom says he would not seek the presidency in 2028 if Harris becomes a candidate.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 16, 2026
News · CA
California Governor Signs AI Toy and Chatbot Laws
Elections and votingCalifornia’s governor signed bills addressing artificial intelligence in toys and chatbots, moving both measures into state law.
The Ballot California News DeskSep 16, 2026
News · CA
Supreme Court blocks Trump move targeting mail voting
Elections and votingNewsom called the ruling a California-backed victory after the Supreme Court stopped a Trump action aimed at vote-by-mail.
The Ballot California DeskSep 15, 2026
Race preview · CA
Three Democrats contest California’s 1st House District
Elections and votingWendy Castanedaleal, Audrey Denney and James M Brock are running in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election for CA-1.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 15, 2026