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AB-162 • 2026

Elections.

Elections.

Budget Elections
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Committee on Budget (A) - (Assembly Members Gabriel (Chair), Addis, Ahrens, Alvarez, Bennett, Bonta, Connolly, Fong, Haney, Hart, Jackson, Lee, Muratsuchi, Ortega, Patel, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rogers, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Ward, and Wilson)
Last action
2025-09-13
Official status
Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Grayson.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not provide details on what happens if local elections are called after August 8, 2025.

Special Election and Reporting Requirements

AB-162 sets rules for a special election on November 4, 2025, including the consolidation of local elections with the statewide one and reporting final costs.

What This Bill Does

  • Holds a statewide special election on November 4, 2025.
  • Allows local elections scheduled to be held on November 4, 2025, to be combined with the statewide election if they were called by August 8, 2025.
  • Requires county officials not to certify any election results until at least 28 days after the election date.
  • Appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund for the Secretary of State to report final costs by April 1, 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Voters in California who will participate in the special election on November 4, 2025.
  • County elections officials responsible for certifying results and combining local elections with the statewide one if they were called by August 8, 2025.
  • The Secretary of State who must report final costs.

Terms To Know

Certify
To officially approve or confirm election results.
General Fund
A fund used by the state to pay for various government expenses, including elections.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if local elections are called after August 8, 2025.
  • It is unclear how the $100,000 will be used beyond reporting final costs.

Bill History

  1. 2025-09-13 California Legislative Information

    Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Grayson.

  2. 2025-09-11 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  3. 2025-09-10 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (September 10).

  4. 2025-09-08 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 B. & F. R.

  5. 2025-09-08 California Legislative Information

    Senate Rule 29.3(b) suspended. (Ayes 28. Noes 8. Page 2568.)

  6. 2025-04-02 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on B. & F. R.

  7. 2025-03-20 California Legislative Information

    In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

  8. 2025-03-20 California Legislative Information

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 53. Noes 17. Page 744.)

  9. 2025-03-18 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  10. 2025-03-17 California Legislative Information

    (Ayes 53. Noes 17. Page 643.)

  11. 2025-03-17 California Legislative Information

    Ordered to second reading.

  12. 2025-03-17 California Legislative Information

    Withdrawn from committee.

  13. 2025-02-03 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on BUDGET.

  14. 2025-01-09 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee February 8.

  15. 2025-01-08 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 162, as amended, Committee on Budget.
Budget Act of 2025.
Elections.
A special election will be held throughout the state on November 4, 2025. Existing law authorizes consolidation of a local election for the submission of any question, proposition, or office to be filled, which was called by a district, city, or other political subdivision on or before August 8, 2025, and scheduled to be held on November 4, 2025, with the statewide special election. Existing law prohibits a county elections official from certifying the results of the statewide special election before the 28th calendar day following the election.
This bill would also prohibit a county elections official from certifying the results of a local election called by a district, city, or other political subdivision on or before August 8, 2025, and scheduled to be held
on November 4, 2025, before the 28th calendar day following the election.
Existing law requires the Secretary of State to report on the final costs of the statewide special election to the Director of Finance and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee no later than April 1, 2026.
This bill would appropriate $100,000 from the General Fund to the Secretary of State for purposes of that report.
This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as a bill providing for appropriations related to the Budget Bill.
This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact statutory changes relating to the Budget Act of 2025.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF