California lawmakers approved a series of bills on Sunday designed to enhance election security and increase transparency around social media campaign endorsements ahead of the state’s 2024 midterm elections. The legislation, part of a larger package awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature, aims to address concerns about ballot interference and the undisclosed use of paid influencers by political campaigns.

One of the measures requires social media influencers who receive payment from political campaigns to disclose that financial relationship when posting endorsements or other election-related content. Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park), the bill’s author, emphasized that the measure seeks to prevent voters from being misled by paid content. The law would also mandate that campaigns report expenditures related to social media promotion, with potential fines imposed on influencers and campaigns that fail to comply.

This legislation follows increased visibility of social media influencers in California’s 2026 gubernatorial primary, where candidates like Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer compensated influencers for favorable postings, some of which lacked disclosure of payment. The newly approved bill aims to bring greater clarity and accountability to such practices.

In addition, two other bills passed on Sunday establish stricter penalties for interfering with election materials. These would criminalize the unauthorized seizure of ballots, election records, and voting equipment before the certification of election results, elevating such actions to felony offenses punishable by up to four years in prison. Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz), who sponsored one of the bills, cited recent instances of alleged ballot interference, including Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco’s controversial order to seize over 650,000 ballots based on unproven fraud claims. This case was recently argued before the California Supreme Court.

Pellerin indicated that these measures respond to ongoing concerns about election interference, stating that the legislation is intended to uphold the integrity of lawful votes amid a climate of misinformation and threats. She described the bill as a safeguard ensuring that “the will of the voters of every political party will be respected.”

Republican lawmakers have opposed the proposed felony statute, arguing during prior hearings that existing laws are sufficient to deter ballot theft and interference. Meanwhile, Senate Bill 259, another measure passed by the Legislature, specifically criminalizes tampering with mail ballots while in transit and prohibits the seizure of ballots being delivered to elections offices.

Governor Newsom has until September 30 to sign or veto the newly approved bills. The legislative session concludes early this week after completing the two-year cycle.