Plain English Breakdown
The official text does not specify an exact calendar date for when this law takes effect, only that it applies based on when titles are delivered relative to that unknown effective date.
AB-1188: New Rules for Showing Who Funds Ballot Measures
This law requires petition signers to confirm they have reviewed a list of top funders and adds details about those funders directly onto the voting ballot.
What This Bill Does
- Requires petitions to include a notice telling signers to only sign if they have reviewed the Official Top Funders disclosure.
- Adds a space on each petition section for signers to initial or check a box confirming they read the funding list.
- Prints names of committees that paid for circulation and their top contributors directly on the ballot paper.
- Includes a QR code or web address on the ballot so voters can access full funding details online.
- Lists the three largest donors to groups supporting the measure and the three largest donors to groups opposing it.
- Allows voters to ask a court for an order requiring identified contributors to be amended or deleted.
Who It Names or Affects
- People who sign petitions for statewide ballot measures
- Groups that pay for circulating petition signatures or advocate for or against measures
- County election officials who examine petitions and print ballots
- The Secretary of State, who must make contributor lists available before printing
Terms To Know
- Official Top Funders disclosure
- A list showing the biggest donors to groups supporting or opposing a ballot measure.
- Statewide initiative or referendum
- A proposed law or change that appears on ballots across all of California for voters to decide.
- Writ of mandate
- A court order requiring an official to correct a mistake, such as fixing wrong names in the donor list.
Limits and Unknowns
- These rules only apply to measures where the Attorney General gives out titles and summaries on or after the law's effective date.
- The exact start date for these new requirements is not listed in this text.
- Reimbursement costs for local agencies depend on a future decision by the Commission on State Mandates.