With midterm elections looming, California lawmakers focus on protecting polling sites from immigration enforcement
In an election year with the Trump administration’s widespread crackdown on immigration enforcement in the backdrop, a pair of California lawmakers are looking to shore up protections for voters.
That’s the idea, at least, behind a new package of bills from Sens. Tom Umberg and Sabrina Cervantes, both Democrats, that would increase the number of vote centers counties would provide for elections, starting with the general election this fall, and the length of time they’d be available to voters.
Senate Bill 884 would also prohibit enforcing federal immigration laws within 200 feet of voting locations and allow county elections officials to keep polls open longer if it’s been determined that a prohibited immigration enforcement operation disrupted voting at the polling place.
The other bill in the Democratic duo’s package, Senate Bill 73, would require a court order for a federal government agency or employee to inspect a voting machine or device.
https://www.ocregister.com/2026/02/24/with-midterm-elections-looming-california-lawmakers-focus-on-protecting-polling-sites-from-immigration-enforcement/