BILL NUMBER: AB 2021	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 15, 2016

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Ridley-Thomas

                        FEBRUARY 16, 2016

   An act  to add Section 2301 to the Elections Code, 
relating to  equal opportunities.   elections.




	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2021, as amended, Ridley-Thomas.  Equal opportunities.
  Election process: public observation: international
election observers.  
   Existing law generally permits the public to observe the election
process. Existing law requires the precinct board member to conduct
certain election day procedures in the presence of all persons
assembled at the polling place. Existing law requires the semifinal
official canvass and official canvass to be open to the public.
Existing law requires the processing of vote by mail ballot return
envelopes, and the processing and counting of vote by mail ballots,
to be open to the public. Existing law requires a recount to be
conducted publicly. Existing law permits interested persons to
participate in a public review and public hearing process for the
certification or conditional approval of a ballot marking system.
 
   This bill would allow an international election observer, as
defined, to be provided uniform and nondiscriminatory access to all
stages of the election process that are open to the public. This bill
would prohibit an international election observer from interfering
with a voter in the preparation or casting of the voter's ballot,
with a precinct board member of an elections official in the
performance of his or her duties, or with the orderly conduct of an
election.  
   The California Constitution prohibits state and local government
agencies from discriminating against or granting preferential
treatment to any individual or group on the basis of race, sex,
color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public
employment, public education, and public contracting. 

   This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation that would promote equal opportunities for employment,
education, and public contracting. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

   SECTION 1.    Section 2301 is added to the  
Elections Code   , to read:  
   2301.  (a) An international election observer may be provided
uniform and nondiscriminatory access to all stages of the election
process that are open to the public, including the public review
period for the certification of a ballot marking system, the
processing and counting of vote by mail ballots, the canvassing of
ballots, and the recounting of ballots. An international election
observer shall not interfere with a voter in the preparation or
casting of the voter's ballot, with a precinct board member or an
elections official in the performance of his or her duties, or with
the orderly conduct of an election.
   (b) For purposes of this section, "international election observer"
means a person who witnesses the administration of an election in
this state and who is an official representative of an international
organization such as the United Nations, the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe, or the Organization of American
States.  
  SECTION 1.    It is the intent of the Legislature
to enact legislation that would promote equal opportunities for
employment, education, and public contracting.