BILL NUMBER: SB 1670	CHAPTERED  08/30/04

	CHAPTER  382
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  AUGUST 30, 2004
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  AUGUST 27, 2004
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 16, 2004
	PASSED THE SENATE  MAY 17, 2004

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Romero

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2004

   An act to amend Section 12309.5 of the Elections Code, relating to
elections.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1670, Romero.  Elections:  poll standards.
   Existing law requires the Secretary of State to adopt uniform
standards for the training of precinct board members based upon the
recommendations of a task force of members appointed by the
secretary.  Existing law requires that the uniform standards address
poll hours, among other things.
   This bill would require that in addition to poll hours, the
standards also address procedures concerning the opening and closing
of polling locations on election day, and would require that
procedures be developed to ensure that all eligible voters who arrive
at the polling location prior to closing time are allowed to vote.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 12309.5 of the Elections Code is amended to
read:
   12309.5.  (a) No later than June 30, 2005, the Secretary of State
shall adopt uniform standards for the training of precinct board
members, based upon the recommendations of the task force appointed
pursuant to subdivision (b).  The uniform standards shall, at a
minimum, address the following:
   (1) The rights of voters, including, but not limited to, language
access rights for linguistic minorities, the disabled, and protected
classes as referenced and defined in the federal Voting Rights Act
(42 U.S.C. Sec. 1973 et seq.).
   (2) Election challenge procedures such as challenging precinct
administrator misconduct, fraud, bribery, or discriminatory voting
procedures as referenced and defined in the federal Voting Rights Act
(42 U.S.C. Sec.  1973 et seq.).
   (3) Operation of a jurisdiction's voting system, including, but
not limited to, modernized voting systems, touch-screen voting, and
proper tabulation procedures.
   (4) Poll hours and procedures concerning the opening and closing
of polling locations on election day.  Procedures shall be developed
that, notwithstanding long lines or delays at a polling location,
ensure that all eligible voters who arrive at the polling location
prior to closing time are allowed to cast a ballot.
   (5) Relevant election laws and any other subjects that will assist
an inspector in carrying out his or her duties.
   (6) Cultural competency, including, but not limited to, having
adequate knowledge of diverse cultures, including languages, that may
be encountered by a poll worker during the course of an election,
and the appropriate skills to work with the electorate.
   (7) Knowledge regarding issues confronting voters who have
disabilities, including, but not limited to, access barriers and the
need for reasonable accommodations.
   (8) Procedures involved with provisional, fail-safe provisional,
absentee, and provisional absentee voting.
   (b) The Secretary of State shall appoint a task force of at least
12 members who have experience in the administration of elections and
other relevant backgrounds to study and recommend uniform guidelines
for the training of precinct board members.  The task force shall
consist of the chief elections officer of the two largest counties,
the two smallest counties, and two county elections officers selected
by the Secretary of State, or their designees.  The Secretary of
State shall appoint at least six other members who have elections
expertise, or their designees, including members of community-based
organizations that may include citizens familiar with different
ethnic, cultural, and disabled populations to ensure that the task
force is representative of the state's diverse electorate.  The task
force shall make its recommendations available for public review and
comment prior to the submission of the recommendations to the
Secretary of State and the Legislature.
   (c) The task force shall file its recommendations with the
Secretary of State and the Legislature no later than January 1, 2005.