CAL.Regulation
California bars law enforcement arrests within 200 feet of polling places through 2029
Governor Newsom signed SB 884, the Protect Our Polls Act, on September 19 as an urgency statute. New Elections Code Chapter 5 (from section 400) bars arrests within 200 feet of a polling place on election day except for crimes against persons or property or disruption of the polling place, requires ballot drop-off locations to open 30 days before an election, and lets counties widen the electioneering ban to 200 feet, for elections from November 2026 through 2029.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Governor of California, Washington Examiner, Unbiased Headlines
Key points
- Counties must keep ballot drop-off locations open 30 days before an election, two days earlier than prior law.California Legislative Information
- Law enforcement must report suspected, planned, or actual violations of the polling-place protections to the Secretary of State and Attorney General.California Legislative Information
- Election officials may extend polling hours when voting is disrupted by prohibited arrests or electioneering.California Legislative Information
- State and local governments may place reasonable restrictions on polling places located on their property; the act took effect on signing, September 19.California Legislative InformationGovernor of California
- The act applies to regular and special elections held in 2026 through 2029, beginning with the November 3, 2026 general election.California Legislative Information
Sources4 articles across 4 outlets
California Legislative Information
Governor of California
Unbiased Headlines
Washington Examiner