The bill imposes additional duties on county elections officials, thereby establishing a state-mandated local program. Under the California Constitution, any increase in responsibilities for local agencies caused by this bill necessitates that the state reimburse those entities for associated costs. This ensures that local governments are not financially burdened by the added requirements imposed by the legislation.
Summary
Assembly Bill 728, introduced by Assembly Member Mullin, aims to amend the Elections Code regarding the county voter information guides. The main change proposed by this bill is the requirement for county elections officials to mail the voter information guide to each registered voter at least 29 days before an election, as opposed to the existing deadline of 21 days. This amendment is intended to enhance the timely dissemination of essential voting information, granting voters more time to review candidates and issues prior to an election.
Contention
While support for the bill emphasizes the increased notice period as beneficial for voter engagement and access to information, there may be concerns regarding the capacity of county elections officials to fulfill the new requirement without additional resources. The debates surrounding the fiscal implications highlight the tension between ensuring thorough voter education and the practicality of implementing expanded timelines within existing administrative frameworks.