SB 259: Elections: vote by mail ballots.

Session Year: 2025-2026
House: Senate
Latest Version Date: 2026-08-30

Current Status:

In Progress

(2026-08-30: Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 6 p.m.)

Introduced

In Committee

Awaiting First Chamber Vote

Passed First Chamber

In Committee

Awaiting Second Chamber Vote

Passed Second Chamber

Enacted

Version:

Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for any person having charge of a completed vote by mail ballot to interfere with a ballots return to the local elections official.

This bill would additionally make it a misdemeanor for any person having charge of a vote by mail ballot to interfere, as defined, with a ballots delivery to a voter. The bill would make it a felony for a person with authority to direct one or more persons subject to their supervision or authority to interfere with a ballots return to the local elections official or delivery to a voter. By expanding the scope of an existing crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.

Discussed in Hearing