Elections.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not specify the exact number of instruction cards that can now be provided, only that there is no longer a maximum limit.

Election Consolidation and Voting Procedures

The bill simplifies the process for filing election resolutions, allows certain officials to count votes from combined elections, increases voter guidance materials at polling places, and updates voting day procedures.

What This Bill Does

• Allows a political subdivision to file an election resolution directly with the county elections official instead of both the board of supervisors and the elections official if the elections official provides the resolution to the board of supervisors or has been authorized by them.
• Permits local governing bodies to authorize specific officials to count votes from combined elections rather than requiring approval by other boards or supervisors.
• Removes the limit on the number of instruction cards provided at polling places, allowing for more voter guidance materials.
• Requires a precinct board member to announce when polls open and close instead of having this duty fall solely on the precinct board.

Who It Names or Affects

• Local political subdivisions such as cities or districts that hold elections
• County boards of supervisors involved in election oversight
• Elections officials responsible for counting votes and providing polling place materials

Terms To Know

Political subdivision

A local government entity, such as a city or district, that has the authority to govern itself within its boundaries.

Elections official

An individual responsible for managing and overseeing elections in their jurisdiction.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how many more instruction cards can be provided at polling places beyond the previous limit of 12.
• It is unclear if there will be additional costs associated with providing more voter guidance materials or changing voting day procedures.

Official Summary Text

SB 1429, as introduced, Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments.
Elections.
(1) Existing law authorizes the consolidation of 2 or more elections that are to be held on the same day, in the same territory, or in territory that is in part the same. When an election called by a district, city, or other political subdivision for the submission of a question, proposition, or office is to be consolidated with a statewide election, and the question, proposition, or office is to appear on the same ballot as that provided for the statewide election, existing law requires the political subdivision, at least 88 days before the election, to file with the county board of supervisors a resolution of the governing board of the political subdivision that, among other things, sets forth the exact form of the question, proposition, or office to be voted on. Existing law requires the political subdivision to also file a copy of the resolution with the county
elections official.
This bill would authorize the political subdivision to file the resolution with only the elections official if, at least 88 days before the election, the elections official provides the resolution to the board of supervisors or the board of supervisors has authorized the elections official to receive resolutions and consolidate elections without seeking new approval by the board of supervisors for each election.
(2) Existing law allows the governing body of a city, district, or other political subdivision with an election that has been consolidated with an election held in the county or counties in which the political subdivision is situated to authorize the county board of supervisors to canvass the returns of the election. Existing law also allows the governing body of a city, district, or other political subdivision with an election that has been consolidated with an election
held in another city, district, or political subdivision to authorize the governing body of that other political subdivision to canvass the election returns.
This bill would instead allow the governing body of the political subdivision to authorize the county elections official, for an election consolidated with a county election, or the elections official of the other city, district, or political subdivision, for an election consolidated with an election held in another city, district, or political subdivision, to canvass the returns of the consolidated election. The bill would make related conforming changes.
(3) Existing law requires elections officials to provide each polling place with specified materials, including not fewer than 6 nor more than 12 instruction cards to guide voters in obtaining and marking their ballots.
This bill would eliminate the
maximum limit of 12 instruction cards.
(4) Existing law prescribes various election day procedures, including the hours that the polls must be open and when voting will commence. Existing law requires the precinct board to proclaim aloud at the polling place that the polls are open and closed, as specified.
This bill would require that a precinct board member make those proclamations.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF