Candidates Encounter Voting Issues Due to Confidentiality Law in California
Their names were on the ballot -- but not on the rolls of registered voters
Los Angeles Times
Image: Los Angeles Times
Several candidates in the recent primary election in Los Angeles, California, were unable to vote at polling places due to a new confidentiality law that keeps their names off voter rolls unless they opt out. This law, enacted in January 2026, aims to protect public officials from threats and harassment.
- 01Candidates including Kenneth Mejia and Maria Lou Calanche found their names missing from voter rolls due to the new law.
- 02The law, AB 1392, was prompted by the tragic shooting of Minnesota lawmakers and aims to enhance privacy for political figures.
- 03Candidates can opt out of the confidentiality provision to remain on the voter rolls, but many were unaware of this requirement.
- 04Mejia corrected his voting status after 15 minutes and emphasized the need for better access to registration information for election workers.
- 05Hugo Soto-Martínez faced similar issues but was eventually recognized as a candidate, highlighting the confusion surrounding the new law.
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In the recent primary election in Los Angeles, several candidates, including City Controller Kenneth Mejia and City Council candidate Maria Lou Calanche, discovered they were unable to vote at polling places due to a new state law, AB 1392. This law, enacted in January 2026, was designed to protect the confidentiality of political candidates' personal information following violent threats against public officials. As a result, candidates' names and contact details are kept off voter rolls unless they explicitly opt out of this confidentiality. Mejia reported that he had to fill out a mail-in ballot after initially being told he needed to register to vote. Calanche also faced similar challenges, while Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez had to cast a provisional ballot. The law has raised concerns about the accessibility of voter registration information for election workers, with Mejia advocating for improved technology to ensure candidates can vote in person. The situation has highlighted the potential pitfalls of the new legislation and the importance of clear communication with candidates regarding their voting rights.
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The new law affects candidates' ability to vote in person, potentially disenfranchising them during elections.
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