California: Governor Newsom signs bills curbing billionaire influence on elections and protecting elections from interference
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~ SACRAMENTO - In a move to strengthen California's democracy, Governor Gavin Newsom signed two new laws aimed at curbing billionaire influence on elections and protecting them from interference. The bills, Senate Bill 42 and Senate Bill 398, were signed into law on October 2, 2025.

The first bill, SB 42, will put a measure on the November 2026 ballot to repeal the ban on public financing of elections in California. This will extend the ability for all cities and counties to create programs for publicly financed elections, leveling the playing field for candidates and reducing the impact of wealthy individuals trying to buy elections.

Governor Newsom stated that "California is the most diverse state in the world's most diverse democracy" and that these new laws further protect Californians' voices and civic participation in what makes our state and country great.

The second bill, SB 398, criminalizes offering payments or other valuable items as incentives for voting or voter registration. This includes sweepstakes or prize-drawing contests. The crime is punishable by imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Senator Umberg (D-Santa Ana), who authored both bills, stated that these laws reaffirm California's commitment to fair, transparent, and accessible elections.

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Currently, charter cities in California are allowed to have publicly financed programs in place. Cities such as Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Berkeley and San Francisco already have these programs in place. According to the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law, "Fourteen states and 26 municipalities now offer public financing systems to empower voters and help candidates run campaigns that are more focused on the people they are running to represent."

Governor Newsom's decision to sign these bills comes amidst attacks on democracy by President Trump's administration. These attacks include targeting law firms who hold federal administrations accountable to the law; silencing the press through settlements or taking them off air; and sending American troops into cities to police the streets and arrest citizens without cause.

Other attacks include sowing doubt in election results and process, despite evidence to the contrary; billionaire backers seeking to sway elections with unethical means; weaponizing law enforcement to intimidate and retaliate against political opponents; defying court orders and openly challenging judicial authority; violating free speech by deporting and detaining foreign students and scholars; stripping power from independent regulatory agencies and oversight bodies; interfering with election administration and targeting election officials; and pressuring Republican states to redraw their congressional districts to help him win the midterm elections.

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In a separate statement, Governor Newsom also expressed his disappointment in the Trump administration's decision to cancel its contractual commitment of up to $1.2 billion in federal funding for the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy. He stated that this decision leaves California's disaster readiness in jeopardy, as federal gridlock has forced disaster personnel furloughs and frozen critical funds needed to support California communities facing historic fire threats.

With these new laws in place, California is taking a stand against attempts to manipulate our democracy. These laws serve as a reminder that our democracy belongs to the people, not those with deep pockets or unethical intentions.

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