Voting by mail: identification envelopes.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass and is no longer active according to the official status label.

Voting by Mail: ID Envelopes

This law sets new requirements for identification envelopes used in voting by mail, specifying where holes or openings can be placed to protect voter information.

What This Bill Does

• Requires that any perforation, hole, window, or other opening in an identification envelope must be at least one-half inch away from any fillable field on the ballot when fully inserted into the envelope.
• Tells the Secretary of State to make rules about how these envelopes should look and work.
• Applies to all elections starting January 1, 2028.

Who It Names or Affects

• Registered voters who vote by mail
• Local election officials responsible for sending out ballots

Terms To Know

Identification envelope

A special envelope used to return a voted ballot securely.

State-mandated local program

When the state requires local governments or agencies to do something, often with extra funding provided by the state.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill did not pass and is no longer active.
• It does not specify how much money will be given to local election officials for implementing these changes.

Official Summary Text

AB 1993, as introduced, DeMaio.
Voting by mail: identification envelopes.
Existing law requires an elections official to mail to each registered voter all supplies necessary for the use and return of a ballot, including an identification envelope, by specified deadlines before each election.
This bill would require any perforation, hole, window, or other opening in an identification envelope to be located not less than one-half inch from any fillable field on the ballot, as measured when the ballot is fully inserted into the envelope according to instructions provided to the voter. The bill would require the Secretary of State to adopt regulations implementing the section. The bill would apply to all elections conducted on or after January 1, 2028.
By imposing new duties on local elections officials, the bill would create 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 the statutory provisions noted above.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF