California is putting up legal walls against federal election investigators, which is good for state Democrats but sets up a direct clash with the Trump administration.

• Newsom signed a law barring anyone, including federal agents, from touching voter rolls or election systems without a court order.
• The move is a response to federal pressure and accusations of fraud in California's elections.
• Federal prosecutors have opened fraud probes into California voting at the same time.
• The fight centers on two flashpoints: mail-in voting and not requiring voter ID at the polls.

Outlook: Expect a state-versus-federal court battle over who can inspect California's elections.