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AB-1536 Elections.(2015-2016)

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Assembly Bill No. 1536
CHAPTER 732

An act to amend Sections 17, 2102, 2103, 2107, 2119, 2142, 2155, 2158, 2162, 2194, 2196, 2250, 2400, 2401, 2402, 2403, 2404, 2405, 2406, 2408, 3019.5, 3114, 4000.5, 9054, 9094.5, 12309.5, 13107, 14026, 18108, 18108.1, 18108.5, 19240, 19242, 21500, 21550, 21601, 21620, and 22000, relating to elections.

[ Approved by Governor  October 10, 2015. Filed with Secretary of State  October 10, 2015. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 1536, Committee on Elections and Redistricting. Elections.
Existing law makes numerous references to federal laws related to elections.
This bill would make nonsubstantive, technical updates to the provisions referencing federal law to reflect a recent reclassification of federal law. The bill would also make additional nonsubstantive, technical changes to these provisions.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NO   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 17 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

17.
 The Secretary of State shall establish and maintain administrative complaint procedures, pursuant to the requirements of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 21112), in order to remedy grievances in the administration of elections. The Secretary of State shall not require that the administrative remedies provided in the complaint procedures established pursuant to this section be exhausted in order to pursue any other remedies provided by state or federal law.

SEC. 2.

 Section 2102 of the Elections Code, as amended by Section 5 of Chapter 909 of the Statutes of 2014, is amended to read:

2102.
 (a) A person may not be registered as a voter except by affidavit of registration. The affidavit shall be mailed or delivered to the county elections official and shall set forth all of the facts required to be shown by this chapter. A properly executed registration shall be deemed effective upon receipt of the affidavit by the county elections official if received on or before the 15th day before an election to be held in the registrant’s precinct. A properly executed registration shall also be deemed effective upon receipt of the affidavit by the county elections official if any of the following apply:
(1) The affidavit is postmarked on or before the 15th day before the election and received by mail by the county elections official.
(2) The affidavit is submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles or accepted by any other public agency designated as a voter registration agency pursuant to the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.) on or before the 15th day before the election.
(3) The affidavit is delivered to the county elections official by means other than those described in paragraphs (1) and (2) on or before the 15th day before the election.
(4) The affidavit is submitted electronically on the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State pursuant to Section 2196 on or before the 15th day before the election.
(b) For purposes of verifying a signature on a recall, initiative, or referendum petition or a signature on a nomination paper or any other election petition or election paper, a properly executed affidavit of registration shall be deemed effective for verification purposes if both of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1) The affidavit is signed on the same date or a date before the signing of the petition or paper.
(2) The affidavit is received by the county elections official on or before the date on which the petition or paper is filed.
(c) Notwithstanding any other law, the affidavit of registration required under this chapter shall not be taken under sworn oath, but the content of the affidavit shall be certified as to its truthfulness and correctness, under penalty of perjury, by the signature of the affiant.

SEC. 3.

 Section 2102 of the Elections Code, as amended by Chapter 909 of the Statutes of 2014, is amended to read:

2102.
 (a) A person shall not be registered as a voter except by affidavit of registration. The affidavit shall be mailed or delivered to the county elections official and shall set forth all of the facts required to be shown by this chapter. A properly executed registration shall be deemed effective upon receipt of the affidavit by the county elections official if received on or before the 15th day before an election to be held in the registrant’s precinct. A properly executed registration shall also be deemed effective upon receipt of the affidavit by the county elections official if any of the following apply:
(1) The affidavit is postmarked on or before the 15th day before the election and received by mail by the county elections official.
(2) The affidavit is submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles or accepted by any other public agency designated as a voter registration agency pursuant to the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.) on or before the 15th day before the election.
(3) The affidavit is delivered to the county elections official by means other than those described in paragraph (1) and (2) on or before the 15th day before the election.
(4) The affidavit is submitted electronically on the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State pursuant to Section 2196 on or before the 15th day before the election.
(b) For purposes of verifying a signature on a recall, initiative, or referendum petition or a signature on a nomination paper or any other election petition or election paper, a properly executed affidavit of registration shall be deemed effective for verification purposes if both of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1) The affidavit is signed on the same date or a date before the signing of the petition or paper.
(2) The affidavit is received by the county elections official on or before the date on which the petition or paper is filed.
(c) Notwithstanding any other law, the affidavit of registration required under this chapter shall not be taken under sworn oath, but the content of the affidavit shall be certified as to its truthfulness and correctness, under penalty of perjury, by the signature of the affiant.
(d) A person who is at least 16 years of age and otherwise meets all eligibility requirements to vote may submit his or her affidavit of registration as prescribed by this section. A properly executed registration made pursuant to this subdivision shall be deemed effective as of the date the affiant will be 18 years of age, if the information in the affidavit of registration is still current at that time. If the information provided by the affiant in the affidavit of registration is not current at the time that the registration would otherwise become effective, for his or her registration to become effective, the affiant shall provide the current information to the proper county elections official as prescribed by this chapter.

SEC. 4.

 Section 2103 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

2103.
 (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that the election board of each county, in order to promote and encourage voter registrations, shall establish a sufficient number of registration places throughout the county, and outside the county courthouse, for the convenience of persons desiring to register, to the end that registration may be maintained at a high level.
(b) It is also the intent of the Legislature that county elections officials, in order to promote and encourage voter registrations, shall enlist the support and cooperation of interested citizens and organizations, and shall deputize as registrars qualified citizens in such a way as to most effectively reach every resident of the county. The persons so deputized shall be permitted to register voters anywhere within the county, including at the places of residence of the persons to be registered, and the county elections official shall not deny deputy registrars the right to register voters anywhere in the county.
(c) It is also the intent of the Legislature that non-English-speaking citizens, like all other citizens, should be encouraged to vote. Therefore, appropriate efforts should be made to minimize obstacles to registration by citizens who lack sufficient skill in English to register without assistance.
(d) Where the county elections official finds that citizens described in subdivision (c) approximate 3 percent or more of the voting age residents of a precinct, or if interested citizens or organizations provide information that the county elections official believes indicates a need for registration assistance for qualified citizens described in subdivision (c), the county elections official shall make reasonable efforts to recruit deputy registrars who are fluent in a language used by citizens described in subdivision (c) and in English. That recruitment shall be conducted through the cooperation of interested citizens and organizations and through voluntarily donated public service notices in the media, including newspapers, radio, and television, particularly those media that serve the non-English-speaking citizens described in subdivision (c). Deputy registrars so appointed shall facilitate registration in the particular precincts concerned and shall have the right to register voters anywhere in the county.
(e) In furtherance of the purposes of this section, the governing board of any county, city, city and county, district, or other public agency may authorize and assign any of its officers or employees to become deputy registrars of voters and to register qualified citizens on any premises and facilities owned or controlled by those public agencies during the regular working hours of the officers or employees. With the exception of firefighters, any compensation to which the officer or employee may be entitled in payment for the services of the officer or employee as a deputy registrar may be paid by the authority that appointed the officer or employee as a deputy registrar to the public agency that regularly employs the officer or employee.
(f) It is the intent of the Legislature that no limitation be imposed on the number of persons appointed to act as deputy registrars of voters.
(g) It is the intent of the Legislature that county elections officials be permitted to distribute affidavits of registration and voter registration cards, in all languages required by Section 203 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10503) or Section 4(f)(4) (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10303(f)(4)) of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, by using the county’s Internet Web site.

SEC. 5.

 Section 2107 of the Elections Code, as amended by Section 7 of Chapter 909 of the Statutes of 2014, is amended to read:

2107.
 (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), the county elections official shall accept affidavits of registration at all times except during the 14 days immediately preceding an election, when registration shall cease for that election as to electors residing in the territory within which the election is held. Transfers of registration for an election may be made from one precinct to another precinct in the same county at any time registration is in progress in the precinct to which the elector seeks to transfer.
(b) The county elections official shall accept an affidavit of registration executed as part of a voter registration card in the forthcoming election if the affidavit is executed on or before the 15th day before the election, and if any of the following apply:
(1) The affidavit is postmarked on or before the 15th day before the election and received by mail by the county elections official.
(2) The affidavit is submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles or accepted by any other public agency designated as a voter registration agency pursuant to the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.) on or before the 15th day before the election.
(3) The affidavit is delivered to the county elections official by means other than those described in paragraphs (1) and (2) on or before the 15th day before the election.
(4) The affidavit is submitted electronically on the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State pursuant to Section 2196 on or before the 15th day before the election.

SEC. 6.

 Section 2107 of the Elections Code, as amended by Section 8 of Chapter 909 of the Statutes of 2014, is amended to read:

2107.
 (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b) and Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 2170), the county elections official shall accept affidavits of registration at all times except during the 14 days immediately preceding an election, when registration shall cease for that election as to electors residing in the territory within which the election is held. Transfers of registration for an election may be made from one precinct to another precinct in the same county at any time registration is in progress in the precinct to which the elector seeks to transfer.
(b) The county elections official shall accept an affidavit of registration executed as part of a voter registration card in the forthcoming election if the affidavit is executed on or before the 15th day before the election, and if any of the following apply:
(1) A mailed affidavit is postmarked on or before the 15th day before the election and received by mail by the county elections official before the close of the polls on election day.
(2) The affidavit is submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles or accepted by any other public agency designated as a voter registration agency pursuant to the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.) on or before the 15th day before the election.
(3) The affidavit is delivered to the county elections official by means other than those described in paragraphs (1) and (2) on or before the 15th day before the election.
(4) The affidavit is submitted electronically on the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State pursuant to Section 2196 on or before the 15th day before the election.

SEC. 7.

 Section 2119 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

2119.
 (a) In lieu of executing a new affidavit of registration for a change of address within the county the county elections official shall accept a notice or letter of the change of address signed by a voter as he or she is registered.
(b) The county elections official shall accept a notification for the forthcoming election and shall change the address on the voter’s affidavit of registration accordingly if the notification is executed on or before the 15th day before the election and if any of the following apply:
(1) The notification is postmarked on or before the 15th day before the election and received by mail by the county elections official.
(2) The notification is submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles or accepted by any other public agency designated as a voter registration agency pursuant to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501) before the election.
(3) The notification is delivered to the county elections official by means other than those described in paragraphs (2) and (3) on or before the 14th day before the election.

SEC. 8.

 Section 2142 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

2142.
 (a) If the county elections official refuses to register a qualified elector in the county, the elector may proceed by action in the superior court to compel his or her registration. In an action under this section, as many persons may join as plaintiffs as have causes of action.
(b) If the county elections official has not registered a qualified elector who claims to have registered to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles or any other public agency designated as a voter registration agency pursuant to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501), the elector may proceed by action in the superior court to compel his or her registration. In an action under this section, as many persons may join as plaintiffs as have causes of action.
(c) No fee shall be charged by the clerk of the court for services rendered in an action under this section.

SEC. 9.

 Section 2155 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

2155.
 Upon receipt of a properly executed affidavit of registration or address correction notice or letter pursuant to Section 2119, Article 2 (commencing with Section 2220), or the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501), the county elections official shall send the voter a voter notification by nonforwardable, first-class mail, address correction requested. The voter notification shall state the party preference for which the voter has registered in the following format:
Party: (Name of political party)
The voter notification shall be substantially in the following form:

VOTER NOTIFICATION

You are registered to vote. The party preference you chose, if any, is on this card. This card is being sent as a notification of:
1. Your recently completed affidavit of registration.

OR,

2. A change to your registration because of an official notice that you have moved. If your residence address has not changed or if your move is temporary, please call or write to our office immediately.

OR,

3. Your recent registration with a change in party preference. If this change is not correct, please call or write to our office immediately.
You may vote in any election held 15 or more days after the date on this card.
Your name will appear on the index kept at the polls.
Please contact our office if the information shown on the reverse side of this card is incorrect.
(Signature of Voter)

SEC. 10.

 Section 2158 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

2158.
 In addition to registration conducted by deputy registrars of voters, the county elections official shall do all of the following:
(a) Provide voter registration cards designed pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 2157 for the registration of voters at his or her office and in a sufficient number of locations throughout the county for the convenience of persons desiring to register, to the end that registration may be maintained at a high level. The cards shall be available in all languages required by Section 203 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10503) or Section 4(f)(4) (52 U.S.C. 10303(f)(4)) of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.
(b) Provide voter registration cards designed pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 2157 in sufficient quantities to any individuals or organizations that wish to distribute the cards other than to persons who have been convicted of violating this section within the last five years. Individuals and organizations may distribute voter registration cards anywhere within the county.
(1) An individual or organization that distributes voter registration cards designed pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 2157 shall obtain the voter registration cards from the county elections official or the Secretary of State. The individual or organization shall comply with all applicable regulations established by the Secretary of State when distributing the cards.
(2) If, after completing his or her voter registration card, an elector entrusts it to another person, the latter shall sign and date the attached, numbered receipt indicating his or her address and telephone number, if any, and give the receipt to the elector. Failure to comply with this paragraph shall not cause the invalidation of the registration of a voter.
(3) An individual or organization that distributes voter registration cards designed pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 2157 shall give a voter registration card to any elector requesting it if the individual or organization has a sufficient number of cards.
(4) If distribution of voter registration cards pursuant to this subdivision is undertaken by mailing cards to persons who have not requested the cards, the person mailing the cards shall enclose a cover letter or other notice with each card instructing the recipients to disregard the cards if they are currently registered voters.
(c) Mail a voter registration card immediately to a person who wishes to register to vote and requests a voter registration card.

SEC. 11.

 Section 2162 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

2162.
 (a) No affidavits of registration other than those provided by the Secretary of State to the county elections officials or the national voter registration forms authorized pursuant to the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.) shall be used for the registration of voters.
(b) A voter registration card shall not be altered, defaced, or changed in any way, other than by the insertion of a mailing address and the affixing of postage, if mailed, or as otherwise specifically authorized by the Secretary of State, before distribution of the cards.
(c) The affidavit portion of a voter registration card shall not be marked, stamped, or partially or fully completed by a person other than an elector attempting to register to vote or by a person assisting the elector in completing the affidavit at the request of the elector.

SEC. 12.

 Section 2194 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

2194.
 (a) Except as provided in Section 2194.1, the affidavit of voter registration information identified in Section 6254.4 of the Government Code:
(1) Shall be confidential and shall not appear on any computer terminal, list, affidavit, duplicate affidavit, or other medium routinely available to the public at the county elections official’s office.
(2) Shall not be used for any personal, private, or commercial purpose, including, but not limited to:
(A) The harassment of any voter or voter’s household.
(B) The advertising, solicitation, sale, or marketing of products or services to any voter or voter’s household.
(C) Reproduction in print, broadcast visual or audio, or display on the Internet or any computer terminal unless pursuant to paragraph (3).
(3) Shall be provided with respect to any voter, subject to the provisions of Sections 2166.5, 2166.7, and 2188, to any candidate for federal, state, or local office, to any committee for or against any initiative or referendum measure for which legal publication is made, and to any person for election, scholarly, journalistic, or political purposes, or for governmental purposes, as determined by the Secretary of State.
(b) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, the California driver’s license number, the California identification card number, the social security number, and any other unique identifier used by the State of California for purposes of voter identification shown on the affidavit of voter registration of a registered voter, or added to voter registration records to comply with the requirements of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901 et seq.), are confidential and shall not be disclosed to any person.
(2) Notwithstanding any other law, the signature of the voter shown on the affidavit of voter registration is confidential and shall not be disclosed to any person, except as provided in subdivision (c).
(c) (1) The home address or signature of any voter shall be released whenever the person’s vote is challenged pursuant to Sections 15105 to 15108, inclusive, or Article 3 (commencing with Section 14240) of Chapter 3 of Division 14. The address or signature shall be released only to the challenger, to elections officials, and to other persons as necessary to make, defend against, or adjudicate the challenge.
(2) An elections official shall permit a person to view the signature of a voter for the purpose of determining if the signature matches a signature on an affidavit of registration or a petition, but shall not permit a signature to be copied.
(d) A governmental entity, or officer or employee of a governmental entity, shall not be held civilly liable as a result of disclosure of the information referred to in this section, unless by a showing of gross negligence or willfulness.
(e) For purposes of this section, “voter’s household” is defined as the voter’s place of residence or mailing address or any persons who reside at the place of residence or use the mailing address as supplied on the affidavit of registration pursuant to paragraphs (3) and (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 2150.

SEC. 13.

 Section 2196 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

2196.
 (a) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, a person who is qualified to register to vote and who has a valid California driver’s license or state identification card may submit an affidavit of voter registration electronically on the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State.
(2) An affidavit submitted pursuant to this section is effective upon receipt of the affidavit by the Secretary of State if the affidavit is received on or before the last day to register for an election to be held in the precinct of the person submitting the affidavit.
(3) The affiant shall affirmatively attest to the truth of the information provided in the affidavit.
(4) For voter registration purposes, the applicant shall affirmatively assent to the use of his or her signature from his or her driver’s license or state identification card.
(5) For each electronic affidavit, the Secretary of State shall obtain an electronic copy of the applicant’s signature from his or her driver’s license or state identification card directly from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
(6) The Secretary of State shall require a person who submits an affidavit pursuant to this section to submit all of the following:
(A) The number from his or her California driver’s license or state identification card.
(B) His or her date of birth.
(C) The last four digits of his or her social security number.
(D) Any other information the Secretary of State deems necessary to establish the identity of the affiant.
(7) Upon submission of an affidavit pursuant to this section, the electronic voter registration system shall provide for immediate verification of both of the following:
(A) That the applicant has a California driver’s license or state identification card and that the number for that driver’s license or identification card provided by the applicant matches the number for that person’s driver’s license or identification card that is on file with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
(B) That the date of birth provided by the applicant matches the date of birth for that person that is on file with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
(8) The Secretary of State shall employ security measures to ensure the accuracy and integrity of voter registration affidavits submitted electronically pursuant to this section.
(b) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall use the electronic voter registration system required by this section to comply with its duties and responsibilities as a voter registration agency pursuant to the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).
(c) The Department of Motor Vehicles and the Secretary of State shall develop a process and the infrastructure to allow the electronic copy of the applicant’s signature and other information required under this section that is in the possession of the department to be transferred to the Secretary of State and to the county election management systems to allow a person who is qualified to register to vote in California to register to vote under this section.
(d) If an applicant cannot electronically submit the information required pursuant to paragraph (6) of subdivision (a), he or she shall nevertheless be able to complete the affidavit of voter registration electronically on the Secretary of State’s Internet Web site, print a hard copy of the completed affidavit, and mail or deliver the hard copy of the completed affidavit to the Secretary of State or the appropriate county elections official.
(e) This chapter shall become operative upon the date that either of the following occurs:
(1) The Secretary of State certifies that the state has a statewide voter registration database that complies with the requirements of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901 et seq.).
(2) The Secretary of State executes a declaration stating that all of the following conditions have occurred:
(A) The United States Election Assistance Commission has approved the use of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901) funding to provide online voter registration in advance of the deployment of the statewide voter registration database or other federal funding is available and approved for the same purpose.
(B) The Department of Motor Vehicles and the Secretary of State have developed a process and the infrastructure necessary to implement paragraph (5) of subdivision (a).
(C) All county election management systems have been modified to receive and store electronic voter registration information received from the Secretary of State in order to allow a person who is qualified to register to vote in California to register to vote under this section.
(f) For purposes of implementing this chapter as expeditiously as possible, if it becomes operative pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (e), the Secretary of State’s office shall be exempt from information technology requirements included in Sections 11545, 11546, and 11547 of the Government Code and Section 12100 of the Public Contract Code, and from information technology project and funding approvals included in any other law.

SEC. 14.

 Section 2250 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

2250.
 On and after July 1, 2007, in any document mailed by a state agency that offers a person the opportunity to register to vote pursuant to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501) that state agency shall include a notice informing prospective voters that if they have not received voter registration information within 30 days of requesting it, they should contact their local elections office or the office of the Secretary of State.

SEC. 15.

 Section 2400 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

2400.
 It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this chapter, to facilitate compliance with the requirements set forth in the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.) relating to voter registration services.

SEC. 16.

 Section 2401 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

2401.
 For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:
(a) “Voter preference form” means the form described in Section 20506(a)(6)(B) of Title 52 of the United States Code.
(b) “Voter registration agency” means either of the following:
(1) A department, division, or office of state or local government, or a program supported by state funds, that is designated by executive order of the Governor or pursuant to the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.) as a voter registration agency.
(2) A private entity under contract with a designated voter registration agency to provide services or assistance on behalf of the designated voter registration agency.

SEC. 17.

 Section 2402 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

2402.
 (a) The Secretary of State is the chief state elections official responsible for coordination of the state’s responsibilities under the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).
(b) The Secretary of State shall adopt such regulations as are necessary to implement this chapter and the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).

SEC. 18.

 Section 2403 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

2403.
 (a) A voter registration agency shall comply with the applicable duties and responsibilities of a voter registration agency set forth in the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).
(b) A voter registration agency, with each application for service or assistance and with each recertification, renewal, or change of address form relating to the service or assistance, and in accordance with the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.), shall provide to an applicant all of the following:
(1) A voter preference form.
(2) A voter registration card, unless the applicant, in writing, declines to register to vote.
(3) Assistance in completing the voter registration card, unless the applicant refuses the assistance.
(c) For purposes of subdivision (b), an applicant’s failure to respond to the question of whether he or she would like to register to vote does not constitute a declination to register.

SEC. 19.

 Section 2404 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

2404.
 (a) The Secretary of State shall do all of the following:
(1) Coordinate with each county elections official and voter registration agency to implement this chapter.
(2) Prepare written training materials that describe the responsibilities of a county elections official and voter registration agency pursuant to this chapter and the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).
(3) Contact a voter registration agency if the agency is not complying with the requirements of this chapter and the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).
(4) Coordinate with each state agency that evaluates the performance of an agency designated as a voter registration agency, including doing both of the following:
(A) Communicate to the state agency the requirements of, and best practices for complying with, this chapter and the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).
(B) Assist the state agency in its effort to help a voter registration agency comply with the requirements of this chapter or the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).
(b) The Secretary of State may do any of the following:
(1) Conduct a review of a voter registration agency’s compliance with the requirements of this chapter or the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).
(2) Conduct a review of a county elections official’s compliance with the requirements of this chapter or the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.) if the county elections official fails to timely submit a report pursuant to Section 2407, or if a report indicates that the county elections official is not complying with the requirements of this chapter or the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).
(3) Post the results of a review conducted pursuant to this subdivision on the Secretary of State’s Internet Web site.

SEC. 20.

 Section 2405 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

2405.
 (a) A county elections official shall be responsible for coordinating with the Secretary of State and each applicable voter registration agency within the county to administer the voter registration services required pursuant to this chapter and the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).
(b) The county elections official shall do all of the following:
(1) Provide voter registration cards to a voter registration agency upon request of the voter registration agency.
(2) Maintain a record of the number of voter registration cards provided to and received from each voter registration agency, and each office or site of the voter registration agency.
(3) Assist a voter registration agency, upon request, in conducting a training program for its employees based on the training materials prepared by the Secretary of State on the requirements of this chapter and the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).

SEC. 21.

 Section 2406 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

2406.
 (a) A voter registration agency shall do all of the following:
(1) Notify the county elections official of each applicable county of the location of each of the voter registration agency’s offices or sites within the county.
(2) Designate an agency employee to be responsible for the agency’s compliance with this section.
(3) Request voter registration cards from the applicable county elections official, as needed.
(4) Take steps to ensure that the voter registration agency, and each office or site of the voter registration agency, has a sufficient supply of voter preference forms and voter registration cards available, including voter preference forms and voter registration cards in all languages required by Section 203 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10503) or Section 4(f)(4) (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10303(f)(4)) of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.
(5) Ensure that each employee of the voter registration agency who may provide voter registration services completes, at least once per year, a training based on the training materials prepared by the Secretary of State on the requirements of this chapter and the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.). The voter registration agency may incorporate this training into any other training program provided by the voter registration agency for its employees.
(b) A voter registration agency may conduct a review of the agency, or an office or site of the agency, as necessary, to ensure compliance with this chapter and the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).

SEC. 22.

 Section 2408 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

2408.
 (a) A voter registration agency that allows a person to apply online for service or assistance, or to submit a recertification, renewal, or change of address form relating to the service or assistance online, shall implement a process and infrastructure that allows an applicant to electronically submit a voter preference form to the voter registration agency, and to submit an affidavit of voter registration electronically on the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State in accordance with Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 2196).
(b) If a person indicates on his or her electronic voter preference form that he or she would like to register to vote, the person shall be informed that he or she may register to vote through one of the following options, if applicable:
(1) Submit an affidavit of voter registration electronically on the Secretary of State’s Internet Web site pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 2196.
(2) Complete an affidavit of voter registration electronically on the Secretary of State’s Internet Web site, print a hard copy of the completed affidavit, and mail or deliver the hard copy of the completed affidavit to the Secretary of State or the appropriate county elections official pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 2196.
(c) A voter registration agency may take steps to ensure that the information entered into a person’s electronic application for service or assistance, or his or her electronic recertification, renewal, or change of address form relating to the service or assistance, will be automatically transferred to the electronic affidavit of voter registration if the person indicates that he or she would like to register to vote.
(d) The Secretary of State shall take steps to ensure that the electronic affidavit of voter registration is available, and may be electronically submitted and verified, in all languages in which a county is required to provide voting materials pursuant to Section 203 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10503) or Section 4(f)(4) (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10303(f)(4)) of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.

SEC. 23.

 Section 3019.5 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

3019.5.
 (a) A county elections official shall establish a free access system that allows a vote by mail voter to learn if his or her vote by mail ballot was counted and, if not, the reason why the ballot was not counted. For each election, the elections official shall make the free access system available to a vote by mail voter upon completion of the official canvass and for 30 days after completion of the official canvas.
(b) For purposes of establishing the free access system for vote by mail ballots required by subdivision (a), a county elections official may use the free access system for provisional ballots established by the county pursuant to Section 302 of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 21082).
(c) If a county elections official elects not to mail a sample ballot to a voter pursuant to Section 13305, the elections official shall use any savings achieved to offset the costs associated with establishing the free access system for vote by mail ballots required by subdivision (a).

SEC. 24.

 Section 3114 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

3114.
 (a) For an election for which this state has not received a waiver pursuant to the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20301 et seq.), not sooner than 60 days but not later than 45 days before the election, the elections official shall transmit a ballot and balloting materials to each military or overseas voter who by that date submits a valid ballot application pursuant to Section 3102.
(b) If a valid ballot application from a military or overseas voter arrives after the 45th day before the election, the elections official charged with distributing a ballot and balloting materials to that voter shall transmit them to the voter as soon as practicable after the application arrives.

SEC. 25.

 Section 4000.5 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

4000.5.
 (a) Notwithstanding Section 4000 or any other law, as a pilot program, an all-mailed ballot special election or special consolidated election in San Diego County may be conducted to fill a vacancy in a congressional or legislative office if all of the following apply:
(1) The congressional or legislative district lies wholly within San Diego County.
(2) The Board of Supervisors of San Diego County, by resolution, authorizes the use of mailed ballots for the election.
(3) The election does not occur on the same date as a statewide direct primary election, statewide general election, or any other election conducted in an overlapping jurisdiction that is not consolidated and conducted wholly by mail.
(4) (A) If the boundaries of the congressional or legislative district overlap with the boundaries of a city, at least one ballot dropoff location is provided per city and is open during business hours to receive voted ballots beginning not less than seven days before the date of the election.
(B) The number of dropoff locations in unincorporated areas shall be based on the number of unincorporated registered voters divided by 100,000 (rounded to the next whole number) with no less than one location to be selected.
(C) A ballot dropoff location provided for under this section shall consist of a locked ballot box located in a secure public building that meets the accessibility requirements for a polling place.
(5) On at least one Saturday and Sunday on or after the date the county elections official first delivers ballots to voters, the elections official allows any voter to vote the ballot at a satellite location within the congressional or legislative district pursuant to Section 3018. The elections official shall determine the hours of operation for each Saturday and Sunday, provided that the satellite location shall be open to voters for a minimum of six hours on each designated Saturday and Sunday.
(6) (A) At least one polling place is provided per city or the polling places are fixed in a manner so that there is one polling place for every 10,000 registered voters within the congressional or legislative district, as determined on the 88th day before the day of the election, whichever results in more polling places. A polling place shall allow a voter to request and vote a ballot between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the day of the election.
(B) The polling places provided under this section shall be established in accordance with the accessibility requirements described in Article 5 (commencing with Section 12280) of Chapter 3 of Division 12, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.), the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901 et seq.), and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.), and shall, to the extent possible, ensure that access is evenly distributed throughout the congressional or legislative district.
(C) The polling places provided under this section shall be established at accessible locations and shall be equipped with voting units or systems that are accessible to individuals with disabilities and that provide the same opportunity for access and participation as is provided to voters who are not disabled, including the ability to vote privately and independently in accordance with Sections 12280 and 19240.
(D) If a polling place consolidates one or more precincts for which the county elections official is required to recruit precinct board members who are fluent in a language in addition to English pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 12303 or the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.), the elections official shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that the polling place is staffed by precinct board members who speak those languages.
(7) (A) The county elections official delivers to each voter all supplies necessary for the use and return of the mail ballot, including an envelope for the return of the voted mail ballot with postage prepaid.
(B) The county elections official delivers to each voter, with either the sample ballot sent pursuant to Section 13303 or with the voter’s ballot, all of the following:
(i) A notice, translated in all languages required under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.), that informs voters of all of the following:
(I) An all-mailed ballot election is being conducted and each eligible voter will receive a ballot by mail.
(II) The voter may cast a ballot in person at a satellite location provided for under paragraph (5) or at a polling place on election day.
(III) The voter may request the county elections official to send a vote by mail ballot in a language other than English pursuant to Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.) or a facsimile copy of the ballot printed in other languages pursuant to Section 14201.
(ii) A list of the ballot dropoff locations, satellite locations, and polling places established pursuant to this section. The list shall also be posted on the Internet Web site of the county elections official.
(iii) A postage-paid postcard that the voter may return to the county elections official for the purpose of requesting a vote by mail ballot in a language other than English.
(8) (A) The county elections official submits to the Secretary of State a voter education and outreach plan to be implemented by the county for any election conducted pursuant to this section. The voter education and outreach plan shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:
(i) One education and outreach meeting that shall include representatives, advocates, and other stakeholders representing each community for which the county is required to provide voting materials and assistance in other languages under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).
(ii) One education and outreach meeting that shall include representatives from community organizations and individuals that advocate on behalf of, or provide services to, individuals with disabilities.
(iii) At least one bilingual voter education program for each language in which the county is required to provide voting materials and assistance under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).
(iv) At least one voter education program to increase accessibility for participation of eligible voters with disabilities.
(v) A toll-free voter assistance hotline maintained by the county elections official that shall be operational no later than the date that vote by mail ballots are mailed to voters until 5 p.m. on the day after the special election. The toll-free voter assistance hotline shall provide assistance to voters in all languages in which the county is required to provide voting materials and assistance under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).
(vi) At least one public service announcement in the media, including newspapers, radio, and television, that serve English-speaking citizens for purposes of informing voters of the upcoming election and promoting the toll-free voter assistance hotline.
(vii) At least one public service announcement in the media, including newspapers, radio, and television, that serve non-English-speaking citizens for each language in which the county is required to provide voting materials and assistance under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.) for purposes of informing voters of the upcoming election and promoting the toll-free voter assistance hotline.
(viii) A voter education social media strategy that is developed in partnership with community organizations and individuals that advocate on behalf of, or provide services to, non-English-speaking individuals and individuals with disabilities.
(B) The voter education and outreach plan shall be posted on the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State and on the Internet Web site of the county elections official.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the election day procedures shall be conducted in accordance with Division 14 (commencing with Section 14000).
(c) The county elections official may provide, at his or her discretion, additional ballot dropoff locations and polling places for purposes of this section.
(d) The return of voted mail ballots is subject to Sections 3017 and 3020.
(e) (1) If the county conducts a special election pursuant to this section, it may process vote by mail ballot return envelopes beginning 29 days before the election. Processing vote by mail ballot return envelopes may include verifying the voter’s signature on the vote by mail ballot return envelope and updating voter history records.
(2) If the county conducts a special election pursuant to this section, it may start to process vote by mail ballots on the 10th business day before the election. Processing vote by mail ballots includes opening vote by mail ballot return envelopes, removing ballots, duplicating any damaged ballots, and preparing the ballots to be machine read, or machine reading them, but under no circumstances shall a vote count be accessed or released until 8 p.m. on the day of the election.
(f) Results of any vote by mail ballot tabulation or count shall not be released before the close of the polls on the day of the election.
(g) For the sole purpose of reporting the results of an election conducted pursuant to this section, upon completion of the ballot count, the county elections official shall divide the jurisdiction into precincts pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 12220) of Chapter 3 of Division 12 and shall prepare a statement of the results of the election in accordance with Sections 15373 and 15374.
(h) The county elections official shall compile an index, list, or file of all persons who voted in an election conducted pursuant to this section. If the elections official uses data-processing equipment to compile the index, list, or file, he or she shall retain an accurate copy of that index, list, or file in electronic format for a period of 10 years.
(i) (1) If an election is conducted pursuant to this section, San Diego County shall report to the Legislature and to the Secretary of State regarding the success of the election, including, but not limited to, any statistics on the cost to conduct the election; the turnout of different populations, including, but not limited to and to the extent possible, the population categories of race, ethnicity, language preference, age, gender, disability, permanent vote by mail status, and political party affiliation as it relates to the languages required under the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.); the number of ballots that were not counted and the reasons they were rejected; voter fraud; and any other problems that became known to the county during the election or canvass.
(2) Whenever possible, using the criteria set forth in paragraph (1), the report shall compare the election conducted pursuant to this section to similar elections not conducted pursuant to this section in the same jurisdiction or comparable jurisdictions.
(3) Within six months after the date of the election or before the date of a subsequent election conducted pursuant to this section, whichever is sooner, San Diego County shall do all of the following with respect to the report required by this subdivision:
(A) Submit the report to the Legislature in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(B) Submit the report to the Secretary of State.
(C) Post the report on the Internet Web site of the county elections official.
(j) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2020, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2020, deletes or extends that date.

SEC. 26.

 Section 9054 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

9054.
 (a) Whenever a city, county, or city and county is required by Section 203 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10503) or Section 4(f)(4) (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10303(f)(4)) of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 to provide a translation of ballot materials in a language other than English, the Secretary of State shall provide a translation of the ballot title and summary prepared pursuant to Sections 9050 and 9051 and of the ballot label prepared pursuant to Section 13247 in that language to the city, county, or city and county for each state measure submitted to the voters in a statewide election not later than 68 days before that election.
(b) When preparing a translation in a language other than English pursuant to subdivision (a), the Secretary of State shall consult with an advisory body consisting of language experts and nonpartisan organizations that advocate on behalf of, or provide services to, individuals that speak that language.
(c) All translations prepared pursuant to this section shall be made available for public examination in the same time and manner as the ballot pamphlet is made available for public examination in accordance with Section 88006 of the Government Code and Section 9092 of this code.
(d) The local elections official shall use that translation of the ballot label on the sample ballot and the official ballot and may not select or contract with another person to provide translations of the same text.

SEC. 27.

 Section 9094.5 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

9094.5.
 (a) The Secretary of State shall establish processes to enable a voter to do both of the following:
(1) Opt out of receiving by mail the state ballot pamphlet prepared pursuant to Section 9081.
(2) When the state ballot pamphlet is available, receive either the state ballot pamphlet in an electronic format or an electronic notification making the pamphlet available by means of online access.
(b) The processes described in subdivision (a) shall become effective only after the Secretary of State certifies that the state has a statewide voter registration database that complies with the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901 et seq.).
(c) The processes described in subdivision (a) shall not apply where two or more registered voters have the same postal address unless each voter who shares the same postal address has chosen to discontinue receiving the ballot pamphlet by mail.
(d) The Secretary of State shall also establish a procedure to permit a voter to begin receiving the ballot pamphlet by mail again after the voter has discontinued receiving it pursuant to subdivision (a).

SEC. 28.

 Section 12309.5 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

12309.5.
 (a) No later than June 30, 2005, the Secretary of State shall adopt uniform standards for the training of precinct board members, based upon the recommendations of the task force appointed pursuant to subdivision (b). The uniform standards shall, at a minimum, address the following:
(1) The rights of voters, including, but not limited to, language access rights for linguistic minorities, the disabled, and protected classes as referenced and defined in the federal Voting Rights Act (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.).
(2) Election challenge procedures such as challenging precinct administrator misconduct, fraud, bribery, or discriminatory voting procedures as referenced and defined in the federal Voting Rights Act (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.).
(3) Operation of a jurisdiction’s voting system, including, but not limited to, modernized voting systems, touch-screen voting, and proper tabulation procedures.
(4) Poll hours and procedures concerning the opening and closing of polling locations on election day. Procedures shall be developed that, notwithstanding long lines or delays at a polling location, ensure that all eligible voters who arrive at the polling location before closing time are allowed to cast a ballot.
(5) Relevant election laws and any other subjects that will assist an inspector in carrying out his or her duties.
(6) Cultural competency, including, but not limited to, having adequate knowledge of diverse cultures, including languages, that may be encountered by a poll worker during the course of an election, and the appropriate skills to work with the electorate.
(7) Knowledge regarding issues confronting voters who have disabilities, including, but not limited to, access barriers and the need for reasonable accommodations.
(8) Procedures involved with provisional, fail-safe provisional, vote by mail, and provisional vote by mail voting.
(b) The Secretary of State shall appoint a task force of at least 12 members who have experience in the administration of elections and other relevant backgrounds to study and recommend uniform guidelines for the training of precinct board members. The task force shall consist of the chief elections officer of the two largest counties, the two smallest counties, and two county elections officers selected by the Secretary of State, or their designees. The Secretary of State shall appoint at least six other members who have elections expertise, or their designees, including members of community-based organizations that may include citizens familiar with different ethnic, cultural, and disabled populations to ensure that the task force is representative of the state’s diverse electorate. The task force shall make its recommendations available for public review and comment before the submission of the recommendations to the Secretary of State and the Legislature.
(c) The task force shall file its recommendations with the Secretary of State and the Legislature no later than January 1, 2005.

SEC. 29.

 Section 13107 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

13107.
 (a) With the exception of candidates for Justice of the State Supreme Court or Court of Appeal, immediately under the name of each candidate, and not separated from the name by any line, unless the designation made by the candidate pursuant to Section 8002.5 must be listed immediately below the name of the candidate pursuant to Section 13105, and in that case immediately under the designation, may appear at the option of the candidate only one of the following designations:
(1) Words designating the elective city, county, district, state, or federal office which the candidate holds at the time of filing the nomination documents to which he or she was elected by vote of the people, or to which he or she was appointed, in the case of a superior court judge.
(2) The word “incumbent” if the candidate is a candidate for the same office which he or she holds at the time of filing the nomination papers, and was elected to that office by a vote of the people, or, in the case of a superior court judge, was appointed to that office.
(3) No more than three words designating either the current principal professions, vocations, or occupations of the candidate, or the principal professions, vocations, or occupations of the candidate during the calendar year immediately preceding the filing of nomination documents. For purposes of this section, all California geographical names shall be considered to be one word. Hyphenated words that appear in any generally available standard reference dictionary, published in the United States at any time within the 10 calendar years immediately preceding the election for which the words are counted, shall be considered as one word. Each part of all other hyphenated words shall be counted as a separate word.
(4) The phrase “appointed incumbent” if the candidate holds an office other than a judicial office by virtue of appointment, and the candidate is a candidate for election to the same office, or, if the candidate is a candidate for election to the same office or to some other office, the word “appointed” and the title of the office. In either instance, the candidate may not use the unmodified word “incumbent” or any words designating the office unmodified by the word “appointed.” However, the phrase “appointed incumbent” shall not be required of a candidate who seeks reelection to an office which he or she holds and to which he or she was appointed, as a nominated candidate, in lieu of an election, pursuant to Sections 5326 and 5328 of the Education Code or Section 7228, 7423, 7673, 10229, or 10515 of this code.
(b) Neither the Secretary of State nor any other elections official shall accept a designation of which any of the following would be true:
(1) It would mislead the voter.
(2) It would suggest an evaluation of a candidate, such as outstanding, leading, expert, virtuous, or eminent.
(3) It abbreviates the word “retired” or places it following any word or words which it modifies.
(4) It uses a word or prefix, such as “former” or “ex-,” which means a prior status. The only exception is the use of the word “retired.”
(5) It uses the name of any political party, whether or not it has qualified for the ballot.
(6) It uses a word or words referring to a racial, religious, or ethnic group.
(7) It refers to any activity prohibited by law.
(c) If, upon checking the nomination documents and the ballot designation worksheet described in Section 13107.3, the elections official finds the designation to be in violation of any of the restrictions set forth in this section, the elections official shall notify the candidate by registered or certified mail return receipt requested, addressed to the mailing address provided on the candidate’s ballot designation worksheet.
(1) The candidate shall, within three days, excluding Saturday, Sunday, and state holidays, from the date he or she receives notice by registered or certified mail, or from the date the candidate receives actual notice of the violation, whichever occurs first, appear before the elections official or, in the case of the Secretary of State, notify the Secretary of State by telephone, and provide a designation that complies with subdivision (a).
(2) In the event the candidate fails to provide a designation that complies with subdivision (a) within the three-day period specified in paragraph (1), no designation shall appear after the candidate’s name.
(d) No designation given by a candidate shall be changed by the candidate after the final date for filing nomination documents, except as specifically requested by the elections official as specified in subdivision (c) or as provided in subdivision (e). The elections official shall maintain a copy of the ballot designation worksheet for each candidate that appears on the ballot in the county for the same period of time as applied to nomination documents pursuant to Section 17100.
(e) The designation shall remain the same for all purposes of both primary and general elections, unless the candidate, at least 98 days before the general election, requests in writing a different designation which the candidate is entitled to use at the time of the request.
(f) In all cases, the words so used shall be printed in 8-point roman uppercase and lowercase type except that, if the designation selected is so long that it would conflict with the space requirements of Sections 13207 and 13211, the elections official shall use a type size for the designation for each candidate for that office sufficiently smaller to meet these requirements.
(g) Whenever a foreign language translation of a candidate’s designation is required under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101), as amended, to appear on the ballot in addition to the English language version, it shall be as short as possible, as consistent as is practicable with this section, and shall employ abbreviations and initials wherever possible in order to avoid undue length.

SEC. 30.

 Section 14026 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

14026.
 As used in this chapter:
(a) “At-large method of election” means any of the following methods of electing members to the governing body of a political subdivision:
(1) One in which the voters of the entire jurisdiction elect the members to the governing body.
(2) One in which the candidates are required to reside within given areas of the jurisdiction and the voters of the entire jurisdiction elect the members to the governing body.
(3) One which combines at-large elections with district-based elections.
(b) “District-based elections” means a method of electing members to the governing body of a political subdivision in which the candidate must reside within an election district that is a divisible part of the political subdivision and is elected only by voters residing within that election district.
(c) “Political subdivision” means a geographic area of representation created for the provision of government services, including, but not limited to, a city, a school district, a community college district, or other district organized pursuant to state law.
(d) “Protected class” means a class of voters who are members of a race, color or language minority group, as this class is referenced and defined in the federal Voting Rights Act (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.).
(e) “Racially polarized voting” means voting in which there is a difference, as defined in case law regarding enforcement of the federal Voting Rights Act (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.), in the choice of candidates or other electoral choices that are preferred by voters in a protected class, and in the choice of candidates and electoral choices that are preferred by voters in the rest of the electorate. The methodologies for estimating group voting behavior as approved in applicable federal cases to enforce the federal Voting Rights Act (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.) to establish racially polarized voting may be used for purposes of this section to prove that elections are characterized by racially polarized voting.

SEC. 31.

 Section 18108 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

18108.
 (a) Except as provided in subdivision (c), any person who receives money or other valuable consideration to assist another to register to vote by receiving the completed affidavit of registration from the elector, and fails to comply with Section 2159, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months or when the failure to comply is found to be willful, not exceeding one year, or both.
(b) Any person who receives money or other valuable consideration to assist another to register to vote by receiving the completed affidavit of registration from the elector, upon a third or subsequent conviction, on charges brought and separately tried, for failure to comply with Section 2159 shall be punished by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed one year, or both.
(c) This section shall not apply to any public agency or its employees that is designated as a voter registration agency pursuant to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.), when an elector asks for assistance to register to vote during the course and scope of the agency’s normal business.

SEC. 32.

 Section 18108.1 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

18108.1.
 (a) Except as provided in subdivision (c), any person who receives money or other valuable consideration to assist another to register to vote by receiving the completed affidavit of registration from the elector, and knowingly misrepresents himself or herself as having helped register another to vote on a registration form, pursuant to Section 2159, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by both the fine and imprisonment.
(b) Any person who receives money or other valuable consideration to assist another to register to vote by receiving the completed affidavit of registration from the elector, upon a third or subsequent conviction, on charges brought and separately tried, for misrepresenting himself or herself as having helped register another to vote on a registration form, pursuant to Section 2159, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed one year, or by both the fine and imprisonment.
(c) This section shall not apply to any public agency or its employees that is designated as a voter registration agency pursuant to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.), when an elector asks for assistance to register to vote during the course and scope of the agency’s normal business.

SEC. 33.

 Section 18108.5 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

18108.5.
 (a) A person, company, or other organization that agrees to pay money or other valuable consideration, whether on a per-affidavit basis or otherwise, to a person who assists another person to register to vote by receiving the completed affidavit of registration, or by assisting with the submission of an affidavit of registration electronically on the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State, who fails to comply with Section 2159.5, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months or when the failure to comply is found to be willful, not exceeding one year, or both.
(b)  A person, company, or other organization that agrees to pay money or other valuable consideration, whether on a per-affidavit basis or otherwise, to a person who assists another person to register to vote by receiving the completed affidavit of registration, or by assisting with the submission of an affidavit of registration electronically on the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State, upon a third or subsequent conviction, on charges brought and separately tried, for failure to comply with Section 2159.5 shall be punished by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed one year, or both.
(c) An elections official shall notify a person, company, or other organization that agrees to pay money or other valuable consideration, whether on a per-affidavit basis or otherwise, to a person who assists another person to register to vote by receiving the completed affidavit of registration or by assisting with the submission of an affidavit of registration electronically on the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State, that three or more affidavits of registration submitted by a person who assisted another to register to vote do not comply with Sections 18100, 18101, 18103, or 18106. The elections official may forward a copy of each of the noncomplying affidavits of registration to the district attorney, who may make a determination whether probable cause exists to believe that a violation of law has occurred.
(d) This section shall not apply to a public agency or its employees that is designated as a voter registration agency pursuant to the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.), when an elector asks for assistance to register to vote during the course and scope of the agency’s normal business.

SEC. 34.

 Section 19240 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

19240.
 It is the intent of the Legislature that California voting system standards and elections comply with the provisions of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901 et seq.) that require voting systems be accessible for individuals with disabilities, including nonvisual accessibility for the blind and visually impaired, in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation, including privacy and independence, as provided to other voters who are not disabled.

SEC. 35.

 Section 19242 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

19242.
 (a) The Secretary of State shall adopt and publish rules and regulations governing any voting technology and systems used by the state or any political subdivision that provide voters with disabilities the access required under the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901 et seq.).
(b) At each polling place, at least one voting unit certified or conditionally approved by the Secretary of State shall provide voters with disabilities the access required under the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901 et seq.).
(c) A local agency is not required to comply with subdivision (b) in an election in which a candidate for federal office does not appear on the ballot unless sufficient funds are available to implement that provision. Funds received from the proceeds of the Voting Modernization Bond Act of 2002 (Article 5 (commencing with Section 19250)), from federal funds made available to purchase new voting systems, or from any other source except the General Fund, shall be used for that purpose.

SEC. 36.

 Section 21500 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

21500.
 Following each decennial federal census, and using that census as a basis, the board shall adjust the boundaries of any or all of the supervisorial districts of the county so that the supervisorial districts shall be as nearly equal in population as may be and shall comply with the applicable provisions of Section 10301 of Title 52 of the United States Code, as amended. In establishing the boundaries of the supervisorial districts the board may give consideration to the following factors: (a) topography, (b) geography, (c) cohesiveness, contiguity, integrity, and compactness of territory, and (d) community of interests of the supervisorial districts.

SEC. 37.

 Section 21550 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

21550.
 (a) As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) “Board” means the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Diego.
(2) “Clerk” means the clerk of the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Diego.
(3) “Commission” means the Independent Redistricting Commission established by subdivision (b).
(b) (1) There is, in the County of San Diego, an Independent Redistricting Commission.
(2) The commission shall be comprised of five members and two alternates who shall each meet the following qualifications:
(A) Be a resident of the County of San Diego.
(B) Be a registered voter of the County of San Diego.
(C) Be a former or retired state or federal judge.
(D) Not be a current member of the board.
(3) Any interested person meeting the qualifications specified in paragraph (2) may submit his or her name to the clerk to be included in a random drawing. The clerk shall conduct a random drawing at a regularly scheduled meeting of the board to select the members of the commission.
(4) The presiding judge of the Superior Court of the County of San Diego may assist the clerk in identifying former or retired judges that may be qualified to be included in the drawing.
(c) (1) The commission shall adjust the supervisorial district boundaries after each decennial federal census in accordance with this subdivision.
(2) The commission shall adjust the boundaries of the supervisorial district of the county so that the districts are equal, or nearly equal in population. The commission may adjust some or all of the supervisorial district boundaries to accomplish this goal.
(3) The resulting supervisorial districts shall comply with any applicable provisions of Section 10301 of Title 52 of the United States Code, as amended.
(4) The commission may consider all of the following factors in establishing the boundaries of the supervisorial districts:
(A) Topography.
(B) Geography.
(C) Cohesiveness, contiguity, integrity, and compactness of territory.
(D) Community of interests in each district.
(5) The commission shall use federal census tracts and blocks in establishing the boundaries of supervisorial districts.
(d) The board shall provide for reasonable staffing and logistical support for the commission.
(e) The commission shall be subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act (Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 54950) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code), and shall conduct at least seven public hearings with at least one public hearing held in each supervisorial district.
(f) (1) The commission shall adopt a redistricting plan adjusting the boundaries of the supervisorial districts, as specified in subdivision (c), and shall file the plan with the clerk before the first day of October of the year following the year in which each decennial federal census is taken.
(2) The plan shall be effective 30 days after it is filed with the clerk.
(3) The plan shall be subject to referendum in the same manner as ordinances.

SEC. 38.

 Section 21601 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

21601.
 Following each decennial federal census, and using that census as a basis, the council shall, by ordinance or resolution, adjust the boundaries of any or all of the council districts of the city so that the council districts shall be as nearly equal in population as may be and shall comply with the applicable provisions of Section 10301 of Title 52 of the United States Code, as amended. In establishing the boundaries of the council districts the council may give consideration to the following factors: (a) topography, (b) geography, (c) cohesiveness, contiguity, integrity, and compactness of territory, and (d) community of interests of the council districts.

SEC. 39.

 Section 21620 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

21620.
 If the members of the governing body of a chartered city are nominated or elected “by districts” or “from districts,” as defined in Section 34871 of the Government Code, upon the initial establishment thereof, the districts shall be as nearly equal in population as may be according to the latest federal decennial census or, if the city’s charter so provides, according to the federal mid-decade census or the official census of the city, as provided for pursuant to Chapter 17 (commencing with Section 40200) of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 4 of the Government Code, as the case may be. After the initial establishment of the districts, the districts shall continue to be as nearly equal in population as may be according to the latest federal decennial census or, if authorized by the charter of the city, according to the federal mid-decade census. The districts shall comply with the applicable provisions of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301, et seq.), as amended. In establishing the boundaries of the districts, the council may give consideration to the following factors: (1) topography, (2) geography, (3) cohesiveness, contiguity, integrity, and compactness of territory, and (4) community of interest of the districts.

SEC. 40.

 Section 22000 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

22000.
 (a) Each district required by its authorizing act to adjust division boundaries pursuant to this section shall, by resolution, after each federal decennial census, and using that census as a basis, adjust the boundaries of any divisions so that the divisions are, as far as practicable, equal in population and in compliance with Section 10301 of Title 52 of the United States Code, as amended, to the extent those provisions apply. In adjusting the boundaries of the divisions, the board may give consideration to the following factors: (1) topography, (2) geography, (3) cohesiveness, contiguity, integrity, and compactness of territory, and (4) community of interests of the division. This section does not apply to divisions in which only landowners vote for directors or whose directors are all elected at large or appointed.
(b) The resolution specified in subdivision (a) shall be adopted by a vote of not less than a majority of the directors.
(c) At the time of, or after, any annexation of territory to the district, the board of directors shall designate, by resolution, the division of which the annexed territory shall be a part.
(d) No change in division boundaries may be made within 180 days preceding the election of any director.
(e) (1) A change in division boundaries shall not affect the term of office of any director.
(2) If division boundaries are adjusted, the director of the division whose boundaries have been adjusted shall continue to be the director of the division bearing the number of his or her division as formerly comprised until the office becomes vacant by means of term expiration or otherwise, whether or not the director is a resident within the boundaries of the division as adjusted.
(f) The successor to the office in a division whose boundaries have been adjusted shall be a resident and voter of that division.
(g) A district is not required to adjust the boundaries of any divisions pursuant to this section until after the 2000 federal decennial census.
(h) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit or restrict a district from adjusting the boundaries of any divisions whenever the governing body of the district determines by a two-thirds vote of the governing body that a sufficient change in population has occurred that makes it desirable in the opinion of the governing body to adjust the boundaries of any divisions, or whenever any territory is added by or excluded from the district.

SEC. 41.

 Any section of any act enacted by the Legislature during the 2015 calendar year that takes effect on or before January 1, 2016, and that amends, amends and renumbers, adds, repeals and adds, or repeals a section that is amended by this act, shall prevail over this act, whether that act is enacted before, or after, the enactment of this act.