AB-459 • 2026

Initiatives: qualification: electronic signatures.

Education Elections

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: DeMaio
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

The bill summary and digest do not provide specific details on the development timeline or implementation process of the electronic signature system.

Using Electronic Signatures for Petitions

This law requires the Secretary of State to create an online system where voters can electronically sign initiative, referendum, or recall petitions.

What This Bill Does

Requires the Secretary of State to develop a system that allows petition proponents to post their state or local initiative, referendum, or recall petitions on the Secretary of State’s internet website for electronic signatures by voters.
Specifies tasks for the Secretary of State and elections officials in verifying and managing these electronic signatures.

Who It Names or Affects

Voters who want to sign petitions online
Petition proponents who can now post their petitions electronically
Elections officials responsible for verifying signatures

Terms To Know

Initiative: A process where citizens propose laws or changes to the constitution.
Referendum: A process where voters can approve or reject a law that has already been passed by their representatives.
Recall: The ability of voters to remove an elected official from office before their term ends.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify how the system will be developed or when it will be ready.
Imposes additional duties on elections officials, potentially requiring state reimbursement for local agencies and school districts if mandated by law.

Bill History

2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2026-01-31 California Legislative Information
Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
2025-04-30 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Failed passage. Reconsideration granted.
2025-04-09 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on ELECTIONS.
2025-04-08 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on ELECTIONS. Read second time and amended.
2025-04-01 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on ELECTIONS.
2025-03-28 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on ELECTIONS. Read second time and amended.
2025-03-28 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on ELECTIONS.
2025-02-07 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 9.
2025-02-06 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 459, as amended, DeMaio.
Initiatives: qualification: electronic signatures.
Existing law prescribes the procedures for circulating an initiative, referendum, or recall petition for signature by voters.
This bill would require the Secretary of State to develop a system that allows a proponent of a state or local initiative, referendum, or recall petition to have the petition posted on the Secretary of State’s internet website where a voter can electronically sign the petition. The bill would require the Secretary of State and elections officials to perform specified tasks in connection with the electronic circulation of petitions, including verifying the electronic signatures, as specified. By imposing additional duties on elections officials, this bill would impose 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

Read the full stored bill text

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