AB-1562 • 2026

Elections: precinct board members.

Elections

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Jackson
Last action: 2026-06-02
Official status: From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on E. & C.A.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not specify how often this random selection process will be used or what happens if there are not enough eligible people to serve on precinct boards.

Elections: Precinct Board Members

This law allows county election officials to randomly select precinct board members for each election instead of appointing them.

What This Bill Does

Allows county election officials to create a system where they can pick precinct board members by random selection, not just by appointment.
Makes all registered voters who are at least 18 years old and live in the area eligible to be picked as precinct board members.
Gives people who are randomly selected the chance to ask for an excuse if serving would cause them or the public a hardship.
Requires county election officials to send written notice to those chosen at least 15 days before they need to report for training and duty.

Who It Names or Affects

County election officials who will create and manage the system for selecting precinct board members.
Registered voters aged 18 or older who live in the jurisdiction, as they may be randomly selected to serve on a precinct board.

Terms To Know

Precinct: A specific area within a county where elections are held and votes are counted.
Precinct Board Member: A person who helps run an election in their precinct, such as checking voter eligibility and counting ballots.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if there are not enough eligible people to serve on the precinct boards.
It is unclear how often this random selection process will be used by county officials.
The bill does not provide details about the training that selected members must receive.

Bill History

2026-06-02 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on E. & C.A.
2026-05-06 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on E. & C.A.
2026-04-20 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-04-20 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 56. Noes 10. Page 4722.)
2026-03-26 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-03-25 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 1.) (March 25).
2026-02-12 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on ELECTIONS.
2026-02-11 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on ELECTIONS. Read second time and amended.
2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on ELECTIONS.
2026-01-09 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee February 8.
2026-01-08 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1562, as amended, Jackson.
Elections: precinct board members.
Existing law requires a county elections official to divide each jurisdiction within the county into precincts and to appoint a precinct board for each precinct at least 29 days before an election within the jurisdiction. Any voter may apply to the county elections official for appointment as a precinct board member.
This bill would authorize a county elections
official, for each election, to adopt a system
official to propose, and a county board of supervisors to adopt, a system for each election in the county
in which individuals are randomly selected to serve as precinct board members. The bill would make every
citizen
registered voter
who resides in the jurisdiction
and is at least 18 years of age
eligible to be selected, but would authorize an eligible person to be excused
for undue hardship upon themselves or the public.
if the person is 70 years of age or older, or if the elections official determines the person is in ill health or has another good and sufficient reason. The bill would also authorize the elections official to disqualify a person from service if the elections official, in their discretion, deems the person unsuitable to serve. The bill would require an elections official to mail written notice to each person who is selected as a precinct board member at least 15 days before the reporting date designated by the elections official. On the reporting date, the person selected to serve would be required to report to the office of the elections official or another designated location to complete any informational
forms and receive training, as provided.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF