California State Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced on Thursday the launch of the 'Hands Off Our Elections' initiative, a comprehensive effort to protect California voters from federal interference, voter intimidation, and threats to election integrity.
The initiative comes amid growing concerns over potential federal overreach and challenges to the state's authority to administer its own elections.
Umberg emphasized the urgency of the initiative, citing threats from former President Donald Trump and his allies. 'When Donald Trump says he intends to do something, I believe him,' Umberg said.
'We need to take proactive steps now to safeguard voters and preserve confidence in the electoral process.'
The initiative includes two key pieces of legislation. SB 884, the Protect Our Polls Act, strengthens protections at polling places by preventing voter intimidation, limiting unlawful federal interference in election administration, and expanding access to safe and secure voting opportunities.
SB 46, the No Kings Act, empowers the California Secretary of State to exclude presidential candidates from the ballot if they are constitutionally ineligible to serve, including any candidate seeking an unconstitutional third term.
Supporters of the initiative include the League of Women Voters of California and California Common Cause. Dora Rose, deputy director of the League of Women Voters of California, stated, 'California stands at the vanguard of American democracy, and we will never stop fighting to protect what we have built here.
California's elections belong to California's voters.' Darius Kemp, executive director of California Common Cause, added, 'The bills Senator Umberg has put forward are so important to maintaining California's leadership as one of the fairest states in which to vote.'
Both SB 884 and SB 46 have advanced out of their house of origin and are scheduled to be heard in the Assembly later this month. The initiative aims to send a clear message to the federal government: Hands off California's elections.