SB 163, as introduced, Hertzberg. Elections: vote by mail ballot.
Existing law requires the vote by mail ballot to be available to any registered voter and requires an application for a vote by mail voter’s ballot to be made in writing to the elections official having jurisdiction over the election between certain days before the election.
This bill, notwithstanding any other law, would require county elections officials to issue a vote by mail ballot to every registered voter in the county for statewide primary, special, and general elections. The bill would include findings and declarations related to vote by mail ballots. By requiring county elections officials to issue a vote by mail ballot to every registered voter, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
The Legislature finds and declares all of the
2following:
3(a) In maintaining a healthy democracy in California, it is
4important to encourage and ensure that the residents of the state
5have the tools needed to participate in every election.
6(b) On average, in California counties 46.2 percent of voters
7receive their ballots by mail.
8(c) Recent studies show that registered voters who automatically
9receive their ballots by mail are more likely to vote.
10(d) Broadening the ability of California residents to engage in
11the democratic process will yield
more representative election
12results and will ensure that the voices of more California residents
13are heard.
Section 3000.5 is added to the Elections Code, to read:
Notwithstanding any other law, a county elections
16official shall issue a vote by mail ballot to every registered voter
17in the county for statewide primary, special, and general elections.
18The distribution of vote by mail ballots to all registered voters
19shall not prevent registered voters from exercising their right to
20vote at their designated precinct polling locations.
If the Commission on State Mandates determines that
22this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to
23local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made
24pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division
254 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
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