Legislation responds to concerns that immigration officers could interfere with voting during November midterms
A bill introduced this week by California lawmakers would ban federal immigration agents from being stationed outside polling places, responding to concerns that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers could interfere with voting during the November midterm elections.
The legislation was introduced on Thursday by state senator Tom Umberg and co-authored by state senator Sabrina Cervantes. Umberg said the measure aimed to safeguard voters from “ruthless intimidation” near polling locations.
“A person shall not perform any act for the purpose of, or in furtherance of, the enforcement of federal immigration laws while within 200 feet of any polling place, county elections office, or location at which ballots are being counted, canvassed, audited, certified, or recounted,” reads the bill.
The legislation comes after Donald Trump said earlier this month that Republicans should “nationalize” and “take over” voting in at least 15 unspecified locations, repeating his false claims that US elections are plagued by fraud.
