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AB-1259 • 2026

Remote accessible vote by mail systems: testing and examination: report.

Remote accessible vote by mail systems: testing and examination: report.

Elections
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Essayli
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Remote Voting System Reports

The bill requires the Secretary of State to post reports about remote voting systems online.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Secretary of State to test and examine proposed remote accessible vote by mail systems.
  • Makes a report on whether a system is certified, conditionally approved, or denied certification available within 60 days after testing.
  • Adds that these reports must be published on the Secretary of State’s internet website.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Secretary of State
  • People who propose remote accessible vote by mail systems for use in California

Terms To Know

Remote accessible vote by mail system
A voting system that allows people to cast their ballots remotely and through the internet.
Certification
Official approval given after a thorough test shows a system meets certain standards.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify what happens if the report is not published on time.
  • The bill does not say how often these reports will be made or updated.
  • It does not explain who can use remote accessible vote by mail systems.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-03-10 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on ELECTIONS.

  4. 2025-02-24 California Legislative Information

    Read first time.

  5. 2025-02-22 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 24.

  6. 2025-02-21 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1259, as introduced, Essayli.
Remote accessible vote by mail systems: testing and examination: report.
Existing law requires the Secretary of State to test and examine remote accessible vote by mail systems that are proposed for use or sale in the state in order to determine their accuracy and efficiency and grant them certification or conditional approval. Existing law requires the Secretary of State to make a report stating whether a system has been certified, conditionally approved, or denied certification publicly available within 60 days after the completion of an examination.
This bill would additionally require the Secretary of State to publish that report on the Secretary of State’s internet website.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF