In a significant stride towards improving electoral processes and voter accessibility, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed a slew of election-related bills into law. These changes encompass a wide array of reforms, from mandating curbside voting to enhancing ballot designs and more.
With the 2024 Primary Elections coming up on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, CAUSE is highlighting specific bills that mark a pivotal moment in the state’s commitment in ensuring a fair and inclusive election and align with our Voter Outreach, Training, and Education (VOTE) initiatives.
DID YOU KNOW THE GOVERNOR HOLDS GREAT LEGISLATIVE POWER?
Did you know that the governor of a state wields substantial legislative power? Let’s delve into the significance of the governor's role and how their actions during this period will shape California’s legislative landscape in the near future.
For a detailed exploration of the roles of the governor, please visit this link:
While the primary role of governors is often associated with executing laws, they also play a pivotal part in shaping them. One of the most impactful ways a governor influences legislation is through the power to sign or veto bills. It is the final stage in the legislative process for a bill to transform into law, taking place once it has successfully passed both the Senate and the Assembly. In October 2023, Governor Newsom exercised this authority by making critical decisions on bills that were awaiting his review, taking the final actions that officially wrapped up the 2023 legislative season.
DID YOU KNOW: RECENT ELECTION-RELATED BILLS WERE PASSED!
In particular, CAUSE has been interested in monitoring bills that are aligned with our Voter Outreach, Training, and Education (VOTE) initiatives. During the month of October, Newsom signed (meaning passed and approved!) a slate of election-related bills that implemented changes to the election model such as mandating curbside voting at all in-person polling locations, improving ballot design, and more.
Examples of such bills include:
SB 77 Voting Signature Verification: Notice
Authored by Senator Tom Umberg; representing 34th Senate District.
Purpose: Requires a county clerk to notify a voter whose signature has been deemed not matching by phone, text, or email, if the information is on file, at least eight days before the certification of the election, to give them a chance to explain or correct it. Previously, notice was only given by mail.
Read more here.
AB 545: Elections: Access for voters with disabilities
Authored by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, representing 28th Assembly District.
Purpose: Mandates curbside voting will be available at all polling places. The law also requires tables at polling places to display handheld magnifying glasses and signature cards, which help people with vision issues sign their name efficiently.
Read more here.
AB 969: Elections: voting system
Authored by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, representing 28th Assembly District.
Purpose: limits ballot hand counting, only allowing ballot hand counting under narrow circumstances (under 1k registered voters and special elections under 5k)
Note: Urgency bill. Set to go into effect immediately, and be implemented for the 2024 elections
Read more here.
AB 34: OC BOS Redistricting
Authored by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan; representing 55th Assembly District.
Purpose: Establishes an independent redistricting commission responsible for drawing the district lines of the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
Read more here.
SB 314 Sacramento BOS Redistricting
Authored by Senator Angelique Ashby; representing 8th Senate District.
Purpose: Establishes an independent redistricting commission responsible for drawing the district lines of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors.
Read more here.
AB 764: Local Redistricting Throughout State
Authored by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan; representing 55th Assembly District.
Purpose: Reforms the 2019 FAIR Maps Act that outlines some redistricting requirements for cities and counties, regardless of who draws the maps.
Read more here.
AB 421: Election Referendum Measures
Authored by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan; representing 55th Assembly District.
Purpose: Simplifies language on the ballot to make more clear what voters are deciding. In its latest form, the bill focuses on one primary fix: clarifying ballot language for referendums to either say “keep the law” or “overturn the law.”
Note: Considered an urgency bill, so now that it has been signed into law, it can take immediate effect and be applied to measures added to the 2024 ballot.
Read more here.
AB 398 Replacement Ballots
Authored by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, representing 28th Assembly District.
Purpose: allows for electronic and telephone-based requests for replacement ballots.
Read more here.
AB 626 Returning VBM in person
Authored by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, representing 28th Assembly District.
Purpose: Allows voters return a mail-in ballot at a polling place and have it processed like a normal ballot, which will expedite the counting of those ballots.
Read more here.
Among the 9 bills granted approval, 2 are considered urgency bills (AB 421 and AB 969). An urgency bill, which must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote in each house of the Legislature, can take effect immediately after it is signed by the Governor and chaptered into law. While some bills may specify an effective date, most states have default rules that govern the effective dates of newly signed laws. In California, a bill enacted during a regular session of the Legislature takes effect on January 1 of the following year, unless a later date is specified in the statute.
However, not all election-related bills were passed. Two such bills, AB 1248 and SB 52, are examples of legislation that successfully navigated through the Senate and Assembly Floors but faced the ultimate obstacle of being vetoed by the Governor's Office.. When bills fail to receive approval, the Governor's Office issues veto messages that provide an explanation for the veto. These messages can be accessed through both the Governor's Office official channels and the internet. Below are the veto messages for the two election-related bills:
Understanding the fate of bills like AB 1248 and SB 52 sheds light on the intricate and complex dynamics of the legislative process. You can still act and advocate for a bill even after it goes to the governor. The Governor has 12 days to sign, approve without signing, or veto a bill after it passes both houses. A letter or phone call to the Governor's Office is appropriate to state your position on the bill. Let the Governor know your position!
To stay informed about bills currently on the legislative floor or those that may emerge in the future, explore online resources that provide comprehensive bill tracking services. By utilizing these resources, you can actively engage with the legislative process and stay informed about the fate of bills that impact various aspects of governance, including elections and voting.
DID YOU KNOW:
HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW IN CALIFORNIA?
While Governor Newsom's role in signing or vetoing bills is crucial, it's important to understand the broader legislative process in California that precedes these executive decisions. The journey of a bill from its inception to becoming law involves several stages, each with its own set of procedures and considerations. Below is a flow chart that thoroughly outlines the process a bill undergoes to successfully become a law.
As observed in the flowchart, any member of the California State Senate or Assembly can introduce a bill. These bills can cover a wide array of topics and issues, reflecting the diverse concerns of the state’s residents. Once a bill is introduced, it undergoes a meticulous review process within specialized committees composed of legislators with expertise in relevant subject matters. Following the committee review, successful bills move to the floor of their respective chambers (either the Senate or Assembly) for broader consideration.
Here, members engage in debates, providing an opportunity for diverse perspectives and opinions to be voiced. The voting process on the chamber floor requires a majority for a bill to progress.
In California's bicameral legislature, when a bill passes its initial chamber, it proceeds to the subsequent chamber's floor for more debate and voting.
In cases where there are discrepancies between versions of a bill passed by the Senate and the Assembly, a conference committee is convened. Once a bill successfully passes through both chambers, it reaches the desk of the Governor. The Governor has the authority to make the final decision: signing the bill into law, vetoing it, or allowing it to become law without a signature.
Furthermore, the state legislature plays a pivotal role in the legislative process, guiding a bill from its introduction to the Governor's desk.
To learn more about California’s State Legislature, visit this page:
In conclusion, understanding the intricacies of how bills work within the state legislative process sheds light on the fundamental role they play in shaping the lives of individuals and communities at the local level. Insight into the collaborative roles of the state legislature and the governor provides clarity on the formulation of laws and policies. This comprehension empowers us to hold local officials accountable for their responsibilities, underscoring our shared collective responsibility to shape the future through legislative engagement.
These legislative changes represent a significant stride toward promoting fairness, accessibility, and transparency in our electoral system. By shedding light on these reforms and their implications for voters, CAUSE aims to empower individuals to participate meaningfully in the democratic process. Through voter outreach, education, and training efforts, we can collectively strengthen our democracy and ensure that every voice is heard at the ballot box. As we approach the primary elections, CAUSE remains committed to equipping voters with the knowledge and resources they need to engage effectively and advocate for positive change in their communities.
RESOURCES
To explore further insights into state and local governance, you can discover the complete collection of CAUSE's "Did You Know Series" here: