AB 1026, as introduced, Eduardo Garcia. Secretary of State: elections: voter turnout.
Existing law provides that the Secretary of State is the chief elections officer of the state and requires him or her to administer the state’s elections laws. Existing law requires the Secretary of State to develop a program to utilize modern communications and information processing technology, including making information available online, to enhance the availability and accessibility of information on statewide candidates and ballot initiatives.
This bill would require the Secretary of State to meet with local registrars of voters, community groups, and other persons as determined by the Secretary of State to develop strategies for improving California’s voter turnout. The bill would require the Secretary of State to present findings to specified committees of the Legislature no later than July 1, 2016. The bill would also make findings in this regard. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2017.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
Section 12173.5 is added to the Government
2Code, to read:
(a) The Legislature finds and declares the following:
4(1) Nationally, the general election held on November 4, 2014,
5had the lowest turnout in 70 years.
6(2) The number of votes cast by eligible voters in the statewide
7general election held on November 4, 2014, was among the lowest
8in California’s history.
9(b) (1) The Secretary of State shall, as he or she deems
10necessary to carry out the provisions of this section, meet with
11local registrars of voters, community groups, and other persons as
12determined by the Secretary of State to develop strategies for
13improving California’s voter turnout.
14(2) After meeting to develop strategies for improving voter
15turnout as specified in paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall
16report to the Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional
17Amendments and the Assembly Committee on Elections and
18Redistricting on the strategies developed no later than July 1, 2016.
19The report shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of
20the Government Code.
21(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2017,
22and as of that date is repealed.
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