BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 254
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB
254 (Roger Hernández and Calderon)
As Amended June 1, 2015
Majority vote
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|Committee |Votes |Ayes |Noes |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|----------------+------+----------------------+--------------------|
|Elections |5-2 |Ridley-Thomas, Gatto, |Grove, Travis Allen |
| | |Gordon, Mullin, Perea | |
| | | | |
|----------------+------+----------------------+--------------------|
|Appropriations |12-5 |Gomez, Bonta, |Bigelow, Chang, |
| | |Calderon, Daly, |Gallagher, Jones, |
| | |Eggman, Eduardo |Wagner |
| | |Garcia, Gordon, | |
| | |Holden, Quirk, | |
| | |Rendon, Weber, Wood | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY: Requires general law cities, school districts, community
college districts, and special districts to hold their general
elections and certain special elections at the same time as the
statewide primary or statewide general election, or in June or
November of odd-numbered years, beginning in 2020. Specifically,
this bill:
AB 254
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1)Eliminates the second Tuesday in April of each even-numbered
year, and the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of
each odd-numbered year, from the list of dates that are
considered "established election dates" on which cities may hold
their general municipal elections, and on which special
districts may hold their general district elections, effective
January 1, 2020.
2)Eliminates the second Tuesday in April of each odd-numbered year
as a date on which cities may hold their general municipal
elections, effective January 1, 2020.
3)Declares the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this bill,
to do the following:
a) Encourage increased voter participation; and,
b) Not alter the date of a runoff election provided for in
the principal act of a district.
4)Specifies that this bill shall not be construed to shorten the
term of office of any officeholder in office on the effective
date of this bill. Provides that for each office for which this
bill causes the election to be held at a later date than would
have been the case in the absence of this bill, the incumbent
shall hold office until a successor qualifies for the office,
but in no event shall the term of an incumbent be extended by
more than four years.
5)Makes corresponding and technical changes.
AB 254
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FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, this bill would mainly impact about 40 general law
cities who currently conduct their elections on dates other than
those specified in this bill. Any additional costs to these cities
associated with moving their election dates would be
nonreimbursable.
COMMENTS: According to the author, "Elections held in June and
November of even years are considered, 'on-cycle' elections. Other
elections are considered 'off-cycle'. In 2014, voter turnout hit
record low numbers, with especially devastating numbers in large
urban areas. One result of lower participation is that the elected
officials are less likely to reflect the electorate. This is a
self-perpetuating cycle, as voters feel less connected they are
less likely to participate in the process in the next cycle, and
so the gap between officials and their constituencies grows
larger.
"By consolidating elections, AB 254 will help avoid 'stand-alone'
local elections and result in: decreased costs, reduction of
special interested influence, increased voter turnout, and a more
representative government."
Approximately 89% of general law cities hold their general
municipal elections on a date that is permitted by this bill. In
all, 41 general law cities would be required to move the date of
their general municipal elections under this bill. Of those 41
cities, all but two are located in Los Angeles County.
(Additionally, there are three charter cities that do not
explicitly provide for an election date in their charter or by
ordinance but that hold municipal elections on dates not permitted
by this bill - those charter cities may be required to change
their election date if this bill passes.)
AB 254
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Los Angeles County uses a voting system that can accommodate only
a limited number of contests at each election, though it is
currently in the planning and design stage for developing and
transitioning to a new system, which is intended to have
sufficient capacity to accommodate consolidation of elections with
local districts and municipalities. This bill's requirements would
not go into effect until 2020, at which time Los Angeles' new
voting system is expected to be operational.
Please see the policy committee analysis for a full discussion of
this bill.
Analysis Prepared by:
Ethan Jones / E. & R. / (916) 319-2094 FN: 0000723