Existing law states that it is the intent of the Legislature, in order to promote and encourage voter registrations, that the election board of each county establish a sufficient number of registration places throughout the county, and outside the county courthouse, for the convenience of persons desiring to register. Under existing law, the Secretary of State is required to adopt regulations requiring each county to design and implement programs intended to identify electors who are not registered voters, and to register those persons to vote. Existing law further provides that if the Secretary of State finds that a county has not designed and implemented a program meeting prescribed minimum requirements, the Secretary of State is required to design a program for the county and report the violation to the Attorney General.

This bill would require the Secretary of State, in adopting those regulations, to require each county to periodically update its programs. The bill would also require the Secretary of State, if he or she finds that a county has not periodically updated its programs as required by regulation, to design a program for the county and report the violation to the Attorney General. By requiring counties to perform additional duties, the 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.