This week, claims emerged regarding potential voting fraud in California after a state lawmaker highlighted an instance where a woman in Riverside County reportedly received duplicate ballots ahead of the June 2 primary.
The claim circulated widely, originating from California Assemblyman Carl DeMaio, who shared an image showing two ballots sent to the same voter, each assigned a different voter identification number.
In his post, DeMaio pointed to the situation as new evidence of issues within California’s voter registration system, calling for stricter voter identification measures.
Opponents of California’s mail-in voting system said the post illustrated ongoing challenges, such as outdated registration records and the possibility of duplicate ballots slipping through the cracks unnoticed by voters and officials.
DeMaio’s notable political success has now paved the way for a Republican voter ID initiative to be placed on the ballot for November 3.
The former San Diego congressman has consistently pushed for measures requiring proof of citizenship for voters.
This development comes amid years of Republican attempts to impose stricter voting regulations in California, which is often viewed as a liberal stronghold.
Recently, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 73, a law that tightens restrictions on law enforcement regarding the handling of ballots and election equipment.
This legislation was introduced following an incident in Riverside County earlier in the year, where Sheriff Chad Bianco confiscated over 600,000 ballots amid a fraud investigation.
Although Bianco claimed these actions were part of examining possible vote tampering, state officials maintain there is no substantial evidence that any ballots were cast illegally.
In defending the new legislation, Newsom warned against those who might think they can operate under orders from the previous Trump administration.
The law aims to clarify the processes of ballot management and attempts to assert the state’s independence from potential federal interference in elections.
Yet, the situation in Riverside County has accelerated these discussions in Sacramento, turning a precautionary initiative into an urgent response to conflicts over ballot handling and law enforcement’s role.
According to the new law, county election officials can’t surrender ballots or election equipment to law enforcement, even when presented with a search warrant.
This means Riverside County Registrar Art Tinoco wouldn’t have been able to comply with Bianco’s demands under the new regulations.
The ongoing scrutiny of California’s election procedures has intensified, particularly regarding how ballots are secured, how voter rolls are managed, and the time taken to count votes. Critics argue these issues undermine public trust in the integrity of elections.
In Humboldt County, officials recently found 596 sealed ballots in a locked drop box post-election, raising further concerns about ballot security and storage protocols.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles County, a longtime petition gatherer admitted to wrongdoing, having allegedly paid individuals—including those experiencing homelessness—to register to vote.
Former President Trump has also voiced criticisms of California’s mail-in voting system, suggesting it leads to widespread abuse and erodes confidence in election results. He remarked, “There is real voter fraud in California,” further asserting that this undermines the potential for fair elections.
