Amended in Assembly April 20, 2016

California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 2686

Introduced by Assembly begin delete Member end delete begin insert Members end insert Mullin begin insert and Gonzalez end insert

February 19, 2016

An act to amend begin delete Sections 4000.5 and 4001 end delete begin insert Section 4000.5 end insert of, and to add Section begin delete 4002 to end delete begin insert 4001.5 to, end insert the Elections Code, relating to elections.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 2686, as amended, Mullin. Elections: all-mailed ballot elections.

Existing law begin insert generally does not allow special elections to fill vacancies in state offices, the Legislature, or Congress to be conducted wholly by mail. Existing law end insert authorizes, until January 1, 2021, San Diego County to conduct, as a pilot program, an all-mailed ballot special election or special consolidated election begin insert (1) end insert to fill a congressional or legislative begin delete vacancy. Existing law provides that a special election to fill a vacancy in a congressional or legislative office may be conducted as an all-mailed ballot election if, among other requirements, the Board of Supervisors of San Diego County, by resolution, authorizes the use of mailed ballots for the election and end delete begin insert vacancy if end insert the congressional or legislative district lies wholly within San Diego begin delete County. end delete begin insert County, (2) to fill a vacancy in the legislative body or governing body, and (3) for certain local initiative and referendum measures. end insert

begin delete

This bill would authorize a special election to fill a vacancy in a state office, the Legislature, or Congress to be conducted wholly by mail if, among other requirements, the legislative body or the governing body of the eligible entity, by resolution, authorizes the all-mailed ballot election and notifies the Secretary of State of its intent to conduct an all-mailed ballot election at least 88 days before the date of the election. The bill would make conforming changes.

end delete begin insert

This bill would extend the operation of that pilot program in San Diego County until January 1, 2023. The bill would authorize San Diego County to additionally conduct such an all-mailed ballot special election (1) to fill a congressional or legislative vacancy if the congressional or legislative district lies partially within San Diego County, and (2) for the recall of a local officer.

end insert begin insert

This bill would also authorize, until January 1, 2023, any county to conduct, as a pilot program, an all-mailed ballot special election or special consolidated election to fill a congressional or legislative vacancy only if 50 percent or more of the total number of voters within the county are permanent vote by mail voters and the county board of supervisors adopts a resolution approving the county’s participation in the pilot program. The bill would impose specific requirements for an all-mailed ballot special election or special consolidation election to be conducted under the pilot program. If a county conducts an all-mailed ballot special election or special consolidation election pursuant to these provisions, the bill would require the county to submit a report to the Legislature and the Secretary of State that includes certain information regarding the success of the election, including any statistics on the cost to conduct the election.

end insert

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 4000.5 of the Elections Code is amended
to read:

4000.5.  

(a) Notwithstanding Section 4000 or any other law,
as a pilot program, an all-mailed ballot special election or special
consolidated election in San Diego County may be conducted by
an eligible entity if the special election or special consolidated
election is any of the following:

begin insert

(1) A special election to fill a vacancy in a congressional or
legislative office.

end insert begin delete

(1)

end delete

begin insert (2) end insert  A special election to fill a vacancy in the legislative body
or governing body.

begin delete

(2)

end delete

begin insert (3) end insert  A special election conducted pursuant to Chapter 2
(commencing with Section 9100), Chapter 3 (commencing with
Section 9200), Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 9300), Chapter
5 (commencing with Section 9400), begin delete or end delete Chapter 6 (commencing
with Section 9500) of Division begin delete 9. end delete begin insert 9, or Chapter 3 (commencing
with Section 11200) of Division 11. end insert

(b) A special election or special consolidated election described
in paragraphs (1) begin delete and (2) end delete begin insert to (3), inclusive, end insert of subdivision (a), may
be conducted wholly as an all-mailed ballot election if begin delete both end delete begin insert all end insert of
the following apply:

begin delete

(1)  The legislative body or governing body of the eligible entity,
by resolution, authorizes the use of mailed ballots for the election.

end delete begin insert

(1) (A) For a special election to fill a vacancy in a
congressional or legislative office, the Board of Supervisors of
San Diego County, by resolution, authorizes the use of mailed
ballots for the election and the congressional or legislative district
lies wholly or partially within San Diego County.

end insert begin insert

(B) For all other special elections, the legislative body or
governing body of the eligible entity, by resolution, authorizes the
use of mailed ballots for the election.

end insert

(2) The election does not occur on the same date as a statewide
direct primary election, statewide general election, or any other
election conducted in an overlapping jurisdiction that is not
consolidated and conducted wholly by mail.

(3) (A) If the boundaries of the jurisdiction of the eligible entity
overlap with the boundaries of a city, at least one ballot dropoff
location is provided per city that is open during business hours to
receive voted ballots beginning not less than seven days before
the date of the election.

(B) The number of dropoff locations in unincorporated areas
shall be based on the number of unincorporated registered voters
divided by 100,000 (rounded to the next whole number) with no
less than one location to be selected.

(C) A ballot dropoff location provided for under this section
shall consist of a locked ballot box located in a secure public
building that meets the accessibility requirements for a polling
place.

(4) On at least one Saturday and Sunday on or after the date the
elections official first delivers ballots to voters, the elections official
allows any voter to vote the ballot at a satellite location within the
jurisdiction of the eligible entity pursuant to Section 3018. The
elections official shall determine the hours of operation for each
Saturday and Sunday, provided that the satellite location is open
to voters for a minimum of six hours on each designated Saturday
and Sunday.

(5) (A) At least one polling place is provided per eligible entity
or the polling places are fixed in a manner so that there is one
polling place for every 10,000 registered voters within the
jurisdiction of the eligible entity, as determined on the 88th day
before the day of the election, whichever results in more polling
places. A polling place shall allow a voter to request and vote a
ballot between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the day of the election.

(B) The polling places provided under this section shall be
established in accordance with the accessibility requirements
described in Article 5 (commencing with Section 12280) of Chapter
3 of Division 12, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.), the federal Help America
Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901 et seq.), and the federal
Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.), and
shall, to the extent possible, ensure that access is evenly distributed
throughout the jurisdiction of the eligible entity.

(C) The polling places provided under this section shall be
established at accessible locations and shall be equipped with
voting units or systems that are accessible to individuals with
disabilities and that provide the same opportunity for access and
participation as is provided to voters who are not disabled,
including the ability to vote privately and independently in
accordance with Sections 12280 and 19240.

(D) If a polling place consolidates one or more precincts for
which the elections official is required to recruit precinct board
members who are fluent in a language in addition to English
pursuant to the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec.
10101 et seq.), the elections official shall ensure that the polling
place is staffed by precinct board members who speak that
language.

(E) If a polling place consolidates one or more precincts for
which the elections official is required to recruit precinct board
members who are fluent in a language in addition to English
pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 12303, the elections official
shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that the polling place is
staffed by precinct board members who speak that language.

(6) (A) The elections official delivers to each voter all supplies
necessary for the use and return of the mail ballot, including an
envelope for the return of the voted mail ballot with postage
prepaid.

(B) The elections official delivers to each voter, with either the
sample ballot sent pursuant to Section 13303 or with the voter’s
ballot, all of the following:

(i) A notice, translated in all languages required under
subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and Section 203 of the federal
Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.), that
informs voters of all of the following:

(I) An all-mailed ballot election is being conducted and each
eligible voter will receive a ballot by mail.

(II) The voter may cast a ballot in person at a satellite location
provided for under paragraph (4) or at a polling place on election
day.

(III) The voter may request the elections official to send a vote
by mail ballot in a language other than English pursuant to Section
203 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101
et seq.) or a facsimile copy of the ballot printed in a language other
than English pursuant to Section 14201.

(ii) A list of the ballot dropoff locations, satellite locations, and
polling places established pursuant to this section. The list shall
also be posted on the Internet Web site of the elections official.

(iii) A postage-paid postcard that the voter may return to the
elections official for the purpose of requesting a vote by mail ballot
in a language other than English.

(7) (A) The elections official submits to the Secretary of State
a voter education and outreach plan to be implemented by the
eligible entity for any election conducted pursuant to this section.
The voter education and outreach plan shall include, but shall not
be limited to, all of the following:

(i) One education and outreach meeting that includes
representatives, advocates, and other stakeholders representing
each community for which the eligible entity is required to provide
voting materials and assistance in a language other than English
under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting
Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).

(ii) One education and outreach meeting that includes
representatives from community organizations and individuals
that advocate on behalf of, or provide services to, individuals with
disabilities.

(iii) At least one in-person bilingual voter education workshop
for each language in which the eligible entity is required to provide
voting materials and assistance under subdivision (c) of Section
14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec.
10101 et seq.).

(iv) At least one in-person voter education workshop to increase
accessibility for participation of eligible voters with disabilities.

(v) A toll-free voter assistance hotline maintained by the
elections official that is operational no later than the date that vote
by mail ballots are mailed to voters until 5 p.m. on the day after
the special election. The toll-free voter assistance hotline shall
provide assistance to voters in all languages in which the eligible
entity is required to provide voting materials and assistance under
subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights
Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).

(vi) At least one public service announcement in the media,
including newspapers, radio, and television, that serve
English-speaking citizens for purposes of informing voters of the
upcoming election and promoting the toll-free voter assistance
hotline.

(vii) At least one public service announcement in the media,
including newspapers, radio, and television, that begin delete serve end delete begin insert serves end insert
non-English-speaking citizens for each language in which the
eligible entity is required to provide voting materials and assistance
under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting
Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.) for purposes of
informing voters of the upcoming election and promoting the
toll-free voter assistance hotline.

(viii) A voter education social media strategy that is developed
in partnership with community organizations and individuals that
advocate on behalf of, or provide services to, non-English-speaking
individuals and individuals with disabilities.

(B) The voter education and outreach plan shall be posted on
the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State and on the Internet
Web site of the elections official.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the election
day procedures shall be conducted in accordance with Division
14 (commencing with Section 14000).

(d) The elections official may provide, at his or her discretion,
additional ballot dropoff locations and polling places for purposes
of this section.

(e) The return of voted mail ballots is subject to Sections 3017
and 3020.

(f) (1) If the eligible entity conducts a special election pursuant
to this section, it may process vote by mail ballot return envelopes
beginning 29 days before the election. Processing vote by mail
ballot return envelopes may include verifying the voter’s signature
on the vote by mail ballot return envelope and updating voter
history records.

(2) If the eligible entity conducts a special election pursuant to
this section, it may start to process vote by mail ballots on the 10th
business day before the election. Processing vote by mail ballots
includes opening vote by mail ballot return envelopes, removing
ballots, duplicating any damaged ballots, and preparing the ballots
to be machine read, or machine reading them, but under no
circumstances shall a vote count be accessed or released until 8
p.m. on the day of the election.

(g) Results of any vote by mail ballot tabulation or count shall
not be released before the close of the polls on the day of the
election.

(h) For the sole purpose of reporting the results of an election
conducted pursuant to this section, upon completion of the ballot
count, the elections official shall divide the jurisdiction into
precincts pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 12220)
of Chapter 3 of Division 12 and shall prepare a statement of the
results of the election in accordance with Sections 15373 and
15374.

(i) The elections official shall compile an index, list, or file of
all persons who voted in an election conducted pursuant to this
section. If the elections official uses data-processing equipment
to compile the index, list, or file, he or she shall retain an accurate
copy of that index, list, or file in electronic format for a period of
10 years.

(j) (1) If an election is conducted pursuant to this section, the
eligible entity shall report to the Legislature and to the Secretary
of State regarding the success of the election, including, but not
limited to, all of the following:

(A) Any statistics on the cost to conduct the election.

(B) The turnout of different populations, including, but not
limited to, and to the extent possible, the population categories of
race, ethnicity, language preference, age, gender, disability,
permanent vote by mail status, and political party preference.

(C) The number of ballots that were not counted and the reasons
they were rejected.

(D) Voter fraud.

(E) Any other problems that become known to the eligible entity
during the election or canvass.

(2) Whenever possible, using the criteria set forth in paragraph
(1), the report shall compare the election conducted pursuant to
this section to similar elections not conducted pursuant to this
section in the same jurisdiction or comparable jurisdictions.

(3) Within six months after the date of the election or before
the date of a subsequent election conducted pursuant to this section,
whichever is sooner, the eligible entity shall do all of the following
with respect to the report required by this subdivision:

(A) Submit the report to the Legislature in compliance with
Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(B) Submit the report to the Secretary of State.

(C) Post the report on the Internet Web site of the elections
official.

(k) For purposes of this section, “eligible entity” means both of
the following:

(1) San Diego County.

(2) A city, school district, community college district, special
district, or other district or political subdivision organized pursuant
to state law, whose boundaries are located wholly within San Diego
County.

begin insert

(l) An election conducted pursuant to this section is not subject
to Section 4001.5.

end insert begin delete

(l)

end delete

begin insert ( end insert begin insert m) end insert  This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
begin delete 2021, end delete begin insert 2023, end insert and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, begin delete 2021, end delete begin insert 2023, end insert deletes or
extends that date.

begin delete

SEC. 2.  

Section 4001 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

4001.  

(a) Notwithstanding Section 4000 or any other law, as
a pilot program, elections in San Mateo County, Yolo County,
Sacramento County, and Monterey County may be conducted
wholly by mail if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) The governing body of the city, county, or district, by
resolution, authorizes the all-mailed ballot election and notifies
the Secretary of State of its intent to conduct an all-mailed ballot
election at least 88 days before the date of the election.

(2) The election does not occur on the same date as a statewide
primary or general election or any other election conducted in an
overlapping jurisdiction that is not consolidated and conducted
wholly by mail pursuant to this section.

(3) (A) At least one ballot drop-off location is provided per city
or the ballot drop-off locations are fixed in a manner so that the
number of residents for each ballot drop-off location does not
exceed 100,000 on the 88th day before the day of election,
whichever results in more drop-off locations. A ballot drop-off
location shall be open during business hours to receive voted ballots
beginning 28 days before the date of the election and until 8 p.m.
on the day of the election.

(B) (i) For San Mateo County and Yolo County, at least one
polling place is provided per city.

(ii) For Monterey County and Sacramento County, at least one
polling place is provided for every 50,000 registered voters, with
a minimum of one polling place per city, in a manner so that the
number of registered voters for each polling place does not exceed
50,000 on the 88th day before the day of election, whichever results
in more polling places.

(iii) A polling place provided pursuant to this subparagraph
shall allow voters to request a ballot between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on
the day of the election if they have not received their ballots in the
mail or if they need replacement ballots for any other reason.

(C) Upon the request of the city, county, or district, the elections
official, at his or her discretion, may provide additional ballot
drop-off locations and polling places.

(5) The elections official delivers to each voter all supplies
necessary for the use and return of the mail ballot, including an
envelope for the return of the voted mail ballot with postage
prepaid.

(6) The elections official delivers to each voter, with either the
sample ballot sent pursuant to Section 13303 or with the voter’s
ballot, a list of the ballot drop-off locations and polling places
provided pursuant to paragraph (4), and also posts that list on the
Internet Web site of the county elections office.

(7) The return of voted mail ballots is subject to Section 3017.

(8) (A) The polling places provided under this section are at
an accessible location and are equipped with voting units or
systems that are accessible to individuals with disabilities and that
provide the same opportunity for access and participation, including
the ability to vote privately and independently.

(B) A ballot drop-off location provided for under this section
shall consist of a locked ballot box located in a secure public
building that meets the accessibility requirements for a polling
place.

(9) Elections in the county conducted pursuant to this section
may be held on no more than three different dates.

(b) (1) If the county conducts an all-mailed ballot election
pursuant to this section, on or before December 31, 2017, the
county shall report to the Legislature and to the Secretary of State
regarding the success of the election, including, but not limited to,
any statistics on the cost to conduct the election; the turnout of
different populations, including, but not limited to, to the extent
possible, the population categories of race, ethnicity, age, gender,
disability, permanent vote by mail status, and political party
affiliation; the number of ballots not counted and the reasons they
were rejected; voter fraud; and, any other problems that become
known to the county during the election or canvass.

(2) Whenever possible, using the criteria set forth in paragraph
(1), the report of the county shall compare the success of the
all-mailed ballot election to similar elections not conducted wholly
by mail in the same jurisdiction or comparable jurisdictions.

(3) The report of the county shall be submitted to the Legislature
pursuant to Section 9795 of the Government Code within six
months after the date of the all-mailed ballot election or before the
date of any other all-mailed ballot election subject to this section
to be conducted in the county, whichever is sooner.

(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2018,
and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that
is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends that date.

SEC. 3.  

Section 4002 is added to the Elections Code, to read:

4002.  

(a) Notwithstanding Section 4000 or any other law, a
special election to fill a vacancy in a state office, the Legislature,
or Congress may be conducted wholly by mail if all of the
following conditions are satisfied:

(1) The legislative body as the governing body of the eligible
entity, by resolution, authorizes the all-mailed ballot election and
notifies the Secretary of State of its intent to conduct an all-mailed
ballot election at least 88 days before the date of the election.

(2) The election does not occur on the same date as a statewide
primary or general election or any other election conducted in an
overlapping jurisdiction that is not consolidated and conducted
wholly by mail pursuant to this section.

(3) The elections official delivers to each voter all supplies
necessary for the use and return of the mail ballot, including an
envelope for the return of the voted mail ballot with postage
prepaid.

(4) The elections official delivers to each voter, with either the
sample ballot sent pursuant to Section 13303 or with the voter’s
ballot, a list of the ballot drop-off locations and polling places
provided pursuant to paragraph (4), and also posts that list on the
Internet Web site of the county elections office.

(5) The return of voted mail ballots is subject to Section 3017.

(6) (A) The polling places provided for the election are at an
accessible location and are equipped with voting units or systems
that are accessible to individuals with disabilities and that provide
the same opportunity for access and participation, including the
ability to vote privately and independently.

(B) A ballot drop-off location provided for the election shall
consist of a locked ballot box located in a secure public building
that meets the accessibility requirements for a polling place.

(7) Elections conducted pursuant to this section may be held on
no more than three different dates.

end delete

begin insert

begin insert SEC. 2. end insert   

end insert

begin insert Section 4001.5 is added to the end insert begin insert Elections Code end insert begin insert , to read: end insert

begin insert

begin insert 4001.5. end insert   

(a) Notwithstanding Section 4000 or any other law,
as a pilot program, a county may conduct an all-mailed ballot
special election or special consolidated election if the special
election or special consolidated election is a special election to
fill a vacancy in a congressional or legislative office.

(b) A special election or special consolidated election described
in subdivision (a) may be conducted wholly as an all-mailed ballot
election if all of the following apply:

(1) (A) The county board of supervisors, by resolution, approves
the county’s participation in the pilot program established by this
section. A county may only participate in the pilot program if the
percentage of permanent vote by mail voters in the county equals
or exceeds 50 percent of the total number of voters in the county,
as determined at the most recent statewide general election.

(B) If a county board of supervisors adopts a resolution pursuant
to subparagraph (A), the county board of supervisors shall transmit
the resolution to the Secretary of State within 10 days of adopting
the resolution. Within 10 days of receiving a resolution adopted
pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Secretary of State shall notify
the Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee, established pursuant
to Section 2053, and the Language Accessibility Advisory
Committee, established pursuant to Section 2600, of the county’s
participation in the pilot program.

(2) The county board of supervisors, by resolution, authorizes
the use of mailed ballots for the election and the congressional or
legislative district lies wholly or partially within the county.

(3) The election does not occur on the same date as a statewide
direct primary election, statewide general election, or any other
election conducted in an overlapping jurisdiction that is not
consolidated and conducted wholly by mail.

(4) (A) At least one ballot dropoff location is provided per city
that is open during business hours to receive voted ballots
beginning not less than seven days before the date of the election.

(B) The number of dropoff locations in unincorporated areas
shall be based on the number of unincorporated registered voters
divided by 100,000 (rounded to the next whole number) with no
less than one location to be selected.

(C) A ballot dropoff location provided for under this section
shall consist of a locked ballot box located in a secure public
building that meets the accessibility requirements for a polling
place.

(5) On at least one Saturday and Sunday on or after the date
the county elections official first delivers ballots to voters, the
county elections official allows any voter to vote the ballot at a
satellite location within the county pursuant to Section 3018. The
county elections official shall determine the hours of operation for
each Saturday and Sunday, provided that the satellite location is
open to voters for a minimum of six hours on each designated
Saturday and Sunday.

(6) (A) The polling places are fixed in a manner so that there
is one polling place for every 10,000 registered voters within the
county, as determined on the 88th day before the day of the
election. A polling place shall allow a voter to request and vote a
ballot between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the day of the election.

(B) The polling places provided under this section shall be
established in accordance with the accessibility requirements
described in Article 5 (commencing with Section 12280) of Chapter
3 of Division 12, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.), the federal Help America
Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901 et seq.), and the federal
Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.), and shall,
to the extent possible, ensure that access is evenly distributed
throughout the county.

(C) The polling places provided under this section shall be
established at accessible locations and shall be equipped with
voting units or systems that are accessible to individuals with
disabilities and that provide the same opportunity for access and
participation as is provided to voters who are not disabled,
including the ability to vote privately and independently in
accordance with Sections 12280 and 19240.

(D) The county elections official shall consider proximity to
public transportation in determining the polling places to provide
under this section.

(E) If a polling place consolidates one or more precincts for
which the county elections official is required to recruit precinct
board members who are fluent in a language in addition to English
pursuant to the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec.
10101 et seq.), the county elections official shall ensure that the
polling place is staffed by precinct board members who speak that
language.

(F) If a polling place consolidates one or more precincts for
which the county elections official is required to recruit precinct
board members who are fluent in a language in addition to English
pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 12303, the county elections
official shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that the polling
place is staffed by precinct board members who speak that
language.

(7) (A) The county elections official delivers to each voter all
supplies necessary for the use and return of the mail ballot,
including an envelope for the return of the voted mail ballot with
postage prepaid.

(B) The county elections official delivers to each voter, with
either the sample ballot sent pursuant to Section 13303 or with
the voter’s ballot, all of the following:

(i) A notice, translated in all languages required under
subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and Section 203 of the federal
Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.), that
informs voters of all of the following:

(I) An all-mailed ballot election is being conducted and each
eligible voter will receive a ballot by mail.

(II) The voter may cast a ballot in person at a satellite location
provided for under paragraph (5) or at a polling place on election
day.

(III) The voter may request the county elections official to send
a vote by mail ballot in a language other than English pursuant
to Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C.
Sec. 10101 et seq.) or a facsimile copy of the ballot printed in a
language other than English pursuant to Section 14201.

(ii) A list of the ballot dropoff locations, satellite locations, and
polling places established pursuant to this section. The list shall
also be posted on the Internet Web site of the county elections
official.

(iii) A postage-paid postcard that the voter may return to the
county elections official for the purpose of requesting a vote by
mail ballot in a language other than English.

(7) (A) The county elections official submits to the Secretary
of State a voter education and outreach plan to be implemented
by the county for any election conducted pursuant to this section.
The voter education and outreach plan shall include, but shall not
be limited to, all of the following:

(i) One education and outreach meeting that includes
representatives, advocates, and other stakeholders representing
each community for which the county is required to provide voting
materials and assistance in a language other than English under
subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act
of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).

(ii) One education and outreach meeting that includes
representatives from community organizations and individuals
that advocate on behalf of, or provide services to, individuals with
disabilities.

(iii) At least one in-person bilingual voter education workshop
for each language in which the county is required to provide voting
materials and assistance under subdivision (c) of Section 14201
and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101
et seq.).

(iv) At least one in-person voter education workshop to increase
accessibility for participation of eligible voters with disabilities.

(v) A toll-free voter assistance hotline maintained by the county
elections official that is operational no later than the date that
vote by mail ballots are mailed to voters until 5 p.m. on the day
after the special election. The toll-free voter assistance hotline
shall provide assistance to voters in all languages in which the
county is required to provide voting materials and assistance under
subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act
of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).

(vi) At least one public service announcement in the media,
including newspapers, radio, and television, that serve
English-speaking citizens for purposes of informing voters of the
upcoming election and promoting the toll-free voter assistance
hotline.

(vii) At least one public service announcement in the media,
including newspapers, radio, and television, that serve
non-English-speaking citizens for each language in which the
county is required to provide voting materials and assistance under
subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act
of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.) for purposes of informing
voters of the upcoming election and promoting the toll-free voter
assistance hotline.

(viii) A voter education social media strategy that is developed
in partnership with community organizations and individuals that
advocate on behalf of, or provide services to, non-English-speaking
individuals and individuals with disabilities.

(B) The voter education and outreach plan shall be posted on
the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State and on the Internet
Web site of the county elections official.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the election
day procedures shall be conducted in accordance with Division
14 (commencing with Section 14000).

(d) The county elections official may provide, at his or her
discretion, additional ballot dropoff locations and polling places
for purposes of this section.

(e) The return of voted mail ballots is subject to Sections 3017
and 3020.

(f) Participating in the pilot program established by this section
does not preclude the use of a remote accessible vote by mail
system.

(g) (1) If the county conducts a special election pursuant to
this section, it may process vote by mail ballot return envelopes
beginning 29 days before the election. Processing vote by mail
ballot return envelopes may include verifying the voter’s signature
on the vote by mail ballot return envelope and updating voter
history records.

(2) If the county conducts a special election pursuant to this
section, it may start to process vote by mail ballots on the 10th
business day before the election. Processing vote by mail ballots
includes opening vote by mail ballot return envelopes, removing
ballots, duplicating any damaged ballots, and preparing the ballots
to be machine read, or machine reading them, but under no
circumstances shall a vote count be accessed or released until 8
p.m. on the day of the election.

(h) Results of any vote by mail ballot tabulation or count shall
not be released before the close of the polls on the day of the
election.

(i) For the sole purpose of reporting the results of an election
conducted pursuant to this section, upon completion of the ballot
count, the county elections official shall divide the jurisdiction
into precincts pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section
12220) of Chapter 3 of Division 12 and shall prepare a statement
of the results of the election in accordance with Sections 15373
and 15374.

(j) The county elections official shall compile an index, list, or
file of all persons who voted in an election conducted pursuant to
this section. If the county elections official uses data-processing
equipment to compile the index, list, or file, he or she shall retain
an accurate copy of that index, list, or file in electronic format for
a period of 10 years.

(k) (1) If an election is conducted pursuant to this section, the
county shall report to the Legislature and to the Secretary of State
regarding the success of the election, including, but not limited
to, all of the following:

(A) Any statistics on the cost to conduct the election.

(B) The turnout of different populations, including, but not
limited to, and to the extent possible, the population categories of
race, ethnicity, language preference, age, gender, disability,
permanent vote by mail status, and political party preference.

(C) The number of ballots that were not counted and the reasons
they were rejected.

(D) Voter fraud.

(E) Any other problems that become known to the county during
the election or canvass.

(2) Whenever possible, using the criteria set forth in paragraph
(1), the report shall compare the election conducted pursuant to
this section to similar elections not conducted pursuant to this
section in the same county or comparable counties.

(3) Within six months after the date of the election or before the
date of a subsequent election conducted pursuant to this section,
whichever is sooner, the county shall do all of the following with
respect to the report required by this subdivision:

(A) Submit the report to the Legislature in compliance with
Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(B) Submit the report to the Secretary of State.

(C) Post the report on the Internet Web site of the county
elections official.

(l) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2023,
and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that
is enacted before January 1, 2023, deletes or extends that date.

end insert