Legislature Sends Bill Barring Hate Speech in Voter Guides to Governor Newsom’s Desk

SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Legislature today gave final approval to Assembly Bill 1853, legislation that bars threatening, false, and misleading content from California’s voter guides. The bill passed the Senate 32-0, with 8 abstentions, and passed the Assembly today 47-9, with 23 abstentions (Note: the Assembly's final vote count is subject to change slightly by end of day). It now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk.

AB 1853 was introduced after a candidate statement containing antisemitic conspiracy theories and white nationalist rhetoric was printed and mailed, at taxpayer expense, to 23 million California households ahead of the June 2026 primary. Authored by Assemblymembers Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) and Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) and sponsored by Jewish California, the bill limits candidate statements to a candidate’s education, professional experience, public service, community involvement, and qualifications for office, and gives the Secretary of State and county elections officials clear authority to reject statements that violate those standards.

Fifty-four Jewish organizations signed on in support within 48 hours of the bill’s introduction.

“Hate speech does not belong in a state-approved document paid by tax dollars paid,” said David Bocarsly, CEO of Jewish California (formerly JPAC). “AB 1853 boldly declares that our state’s official election documents can’t be used to spread conspiracy theories and bigotry. We’re grateful to Assemblymembers Pellerin and Berman for their leadership, and to every legislator who voted to keep hate out of the voter guide.”

"Today, the Legislature voted to ensure hate speech has no place in California's official voter materials,” said Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz). “With AB 1853 heading to the Governor's desk, we're putting an end to the loophole that let disinformation slip into a publication voters turn to for accurate and relevant information. This milestone wouldn't have been possible without the tremendous effort of Assembly Elections Committee staff, the support of my colleagues in the Legislature, and the coalition-building that Jewish California did around AB 1853."

The bill now goes to Governor Newsom, who has until September 30 to sign or veto legislation passed this session.

Follow the status of all Jewish California bills at our Policy Agenda Tracker: https://tracker.jewishcal.org/.