California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of 13 election-related bills on September 19, 2026. The legislation establishes felony penalties for seizing ballots, restricts law enforcement activity near polling places, and empowers regulators to fine social media influencers up to $5,000 for failing to disclose paid political content. The crackdown follows complaints during the spring 2026 gubernatorial primary involving campaigns like Tom Steyer's quietly paying creators.
California election interference legislation
- ▪The California election legislation signed on September 19, 2026, restricts certain law enforcement activities near polling places, expands access to ballot drop-off locations, and offers translated election materials.
- ▪California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of 13 election-related bills on September 19, 2026, aimed at limiting law enforcement interference with ballots and election administration.
- ▪The California election legislation signed on September 19, 2026, establishes new felony penalties for the seizure of ballots and election records.
Social media influencer disclosure enforcement
- ▪California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation on September 19, 2026, empowering state campaign finance regulators to fine social media influencers up to $5,000 per violation for failing to properly disclose paid political content.
- ▪California Assemblyman Marc Berman introduced Assembly Bill 1130, the influencer disclosure bill, after media reports revealed that politicians were quietly paying influencers during the spring 2026 California gubernatorial primary
- ▪The California influencer disclosure law signed on September 19, 2026, allows regulators to refer disclosure violations to law enforcement as potential misdemeanors.
Paid political content regulation
- ▪While Texas mandates disclosure of paid online political content and other states are considering similar rules, there are currently no federal requirements to disclose payments for social media posts.
- ▪California has required disclosures for paid social media posts regarding state- and local-level campaigns since 2023, but lacked enforcement mechanisms to fine or prosecute non-compliant creators until Assembly Bill 1130, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 19, 2026
California gubernatorial campaign violations
- ▪Complaints regarding undisclosed paid influencer posts during the spring 2026 primary were filed against Tom Steyer's campaign and his chief rival Xavier Becerra, who won the primary and will face Republican Steve Hilton in November 2026.
- ▪During the spring 2026 California gubernatorial primary, Democratic candidate Tom Steyer paid dozens of creators to post favorably about his campaign on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Reddit without initial written disclosures.
- ▪The California Fair Political Practices Commission closed an investigation into Tom Steyer's campaign in September 2026, finding he properly notified influencers of disclosure requirements, though another investigation into his campaign remains pending.
Debatable claims
- ▪California should restrict law enforcement activities near polling places
- ▪California should penalize social media influencers who fail to disclose paid political content
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