ARTICLE 3. Registration Procedures [2138 - 2143]
( Article 3 enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2. )
Individuals and organizations distributing voter registration cards pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 2158 and who receive completed voter registration cards from voters shall return the completed cards to the county elections official or shall deposit the cards in the postal service within three days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays, of receipt from a voter.
(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, an affiant’s driver’s license number, identification card number, social security number, and signature contained on an affidavit of registration are confidential and shall not be disclosed by an individual or organization that distributes voter registration cards pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 2158, or by a person entrusted with an affidavit of registration from an elector pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 2158. However, this subdivision shall not be construed to prohibit a person entrusted with an affidavit of registration from an elector pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 2158 from returning the affidavit to the individual or organization that distributed the voter registration card pursuant to
subdivision (b) of Section 2158.
(b) An individual or organization that distributes voter registration cards pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 2158, a person entrusted with an affidavit of registration from an elector pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 2158, or an individual or organization that assists with the submission of an affidavit of registration electronically on the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State shall comply with both of the following:
(1) Shall not use affidavit of registration information for any personal, private, or commercial purpose, including for any of the following:
(A) The harassment of a voter or voter’s household.
(B) The advertising, solicitation, sale, or marketing of products or services to a voter or voter’s household.
(C) Reproduction in print, broadcast visual or audio, or display on the Internet.
(2) Shall employ reasonable security measures, including employing administrative and physical safeguards, and, for affidavit of registration information available in an electronic form, technical safeguards, to protect the voter registration information from unlawful disclosure and misuse.
(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 593, Sec. 1. (AB 1446) Effective January 1, 2015.)
On the day of the close of registration for any election all individuals and organizations that have submitted plans for distribution shall immediately return all completed affidavits of registration in their possession to the county elections official. Unused affidavits shall be returned upon completion of the distribution plan.
(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 728, Sec. 24. (AB 1020) Effective January 1, 2016. Operative September 26, 2016, when the Secretary of State issued the certification prescribed by Stats. 2015, Ch. 728, Sec. 88.)
The county elections official shall report to the district attorney of the county, under oath, the name of any individuals or organizations that have submitted plans for distribution who have not complied with this article.
(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 728, Sec. 25. (AB 1020) Effective January 1, 2016. Operative September 26, 2016, when the Secretary of State issued the certification prescribed by Stats. 2015, Ch. 728, Sec. 88.)
(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 federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.), 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.
(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 86, Sec. 84. (SB 1171) Effective January 1, 2017.)
Costs shall not be recovered against the county elections official in any action under this chapter, unless it is alleged in the complaint, and established on the trial, that the county elections official knowingly and willfully violated his or her duty.
(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)