A social media rumor suggests that a new California law permits next of kin to cast votes on behalf of deceased individuals, specifically if the person passed away within six months of an election. This claim has circulated widely, drawing criticism and sparking discussions about election integrity.
The viral post on X asserts that this new legislation allows a deceased person’s next of kin to submit their ballot, effectively enabling the dead to vote. The post further attributes a statement to a spokesperson for Governor Gavin Newsom’s office, supposedly defending the law as “fair” and suggesting it’s not the deceased’s fault they couldn’t reach the election date. The post also criticizes Democrats, alleging the manipulation of deceased individuals’ names to secure election victories and characterizing California’s electoral system as akin to a “banana republic.” This post has garnered significant attention, with many commenters appearing to accept the claim as fact.
However, a thorough investigation reveals no evidence of such a law being enacted in California. Extensive searches of credible news sources have yielded no reports of this controversial legislation, which would undoubtedly have generated widespread media coverage and public outcry. Additionally, the source of the viral claim is not considered a reliable news outlet and has previously shared unverified information, suggesting the post may have been intended as satire.
In response to broader concerns about election security, Governor Newsom stated on X on July 17th, “California has free, fair, and secure elections and we will fight for them. Try us.” This statement came after Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin indicated that states not cooperating with the Trump administration on election security matters could face scrutiny, and their election officials held accountable. Mullin emphasized the need for states to participate in ensuring election security and stated that non-compliant states would be prioritized for review regarding voter rolls and official accountability.
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