BILL ANALYSIS
SB 288
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 288 (Yee)
As Amended June 15, 2009
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE :35-0
ELECTIONS 7-0 APPROPRIATIONS 15-0
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|Ayes:|Fong, Niello, Bill |Ayes:|De Leon, Nielsen, |
| |Berryhill, Coto, Mendoza, | |Ammiano, Coto, Davis, |
| |Saldana, Swanson | |Duvall, Fuentes, Hall, |
| | | |Harkey, Miller, John A. |
| | | |Perez, Skinner, Solorio, |
| | | |Audra Strickland, |
| | | |Torlakskon |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Requires a candidate's alphabet-based name to be
phonetically translated or transliterated if the county is required to
provide translated ballot materials in a character-based language,
unless certain conditions are met. Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires county elections officials to establish a process for a
candidate to appeal the translation of the name assigned to him or
her for use on ballot.
2)Provides that in a county in which separate ballots containing
translations of the candidates' names are printed in different
languages, ballot materials shall include both the English names and
the translations of candidates' names.
3)Allows a candidate that has a character-based name by birth, which
can be verified by a birth certificate or other valid
identification, to use that name on the ballot instead of a phonetic
translation or transliteration.
4)Allows a candidate who does not have a character-based name by
birth, but who identifies by a particular character-based name and
can demonstrate to elections officials that he or she has been known
and identified within the public by that name over the past two
years, to use that name instead of a phonetic translation or
transliteration.
SB 288
Page 2
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee,
minor annual reimbursable costs for counties to include
character-based names or phonetic translations or transliterations on
ballot materials and to provide an appeals process.
COMMENTS : According to the author, "SB 288 will help protect the
integrity of ballots by ensuring that Asian communities are accurately
informed of who they are voting for. SB 288 will create standard
guidelines for the fair use of candidates' names on ballots in
jurisdictions that have Chinese, Korean or Japanese ballot
translations. This bill prevents fraud by requiring candidates in
jurisdictions with alternative language ballots, where the candidate's
name is already being translated, to be provided a phonetic
translation or transliteration of their English name by the county
elections office or by the Secretary of State's Office. If the
candidate has an Asian character name by birth or one that they have
been known by within the public sphere, they may use that name
instead. This will help stop the last-minute, deceptive practice of
making up a fraudulent name simply to deceive Asian voters into voting
for a candidate."
Analysis Prepared by : Qiana Charles / E. & R. / (916) 319-2094 FN:
0001725