BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 254
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GOVERNOR'S VETO
AB
254 (Roger Hernández and Calderon)
As Enrolled September 4, 2015
2/3 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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|ASSEMBLY: |44-31 |(June 3, 2015) |SENATE: |25-15 |(September 2, |
AB 254
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| | | | | |2015) |
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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:
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
AB 254
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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.
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
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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.)
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.
GOVERNOR'S VETO MESSAGE:
This bill would eliminate two currently authorized off-cycle
election dates from state law.
Earlier this year I signed SB 415 which will consolidate most
off-cycle local elections with established statewide elections,
with certain exceptions.
AB 254
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While I share the author's desire to boost turnout in local
elections, I am hesitant to restrict local governments from
availing themselves of the full election authority contained in
SB 415.
Analysis Prepared by:
Ethan Jones / E. & R. / (916) 319-2094 FN:
0002454