California SB 1431

(1) Existing law requires an elections official to mail a ballot and ballot identification envelope to each active registered voter, including military and overseas voters, at specified times before an election. Existing law does not require a registered voter to request a vote by mail ballot to receive the ballot in this manner. This bill would make conforming changes to require an elections official to send the ballot and related materials to each active registered military and overseas voter regardless of whether they apply for a vote by mail ballot. (2) Existing law requires candidates for certain federal, state, and local offices to submit nomination papers to the county elections official with a specified number of signatures to appear on the ballot for the primary election. Under existing law, the number of signatures submitted must fall within a specified range, depending upon the office sought by the candidate or the number of voters in the state, county, or district where the election is to be held. If more than the maximum number of signatures is submitted, existing law permits the elections official to withdraw the excess number, as specified. This bill would instead require the candidate to submit only a minimum number of signatures, as specified. The bill would repeal the provision permitting the elections official to withdraw an excess number of signatures. The bill would also permit the candidate to continuously submit signatures until the county elections official verifies that the requisite number of signatures has been submitted. By establishing new procedures for local elections officials, this 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.