Amended IN Assembly June 27, 2023 Amended IN Senate May 18, 2023 Amended IN Senate March 21, 2023 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 632Introduced by Senator CaballeroFebruary 16, 2023 An act to amend, repeal, and add Sections 13307.7 and 13311 of, and to add Section 13307.9 to, the Elections Code, relating to elections. An act to Section 85601 of the Government Code, relating to the Political Reform Act of 1974.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 632, as amended, Caballero. Candidate statements.Political Reform Act of 1974: Candidate statements.Existing law allows a candidate for State Senate or Assembly who accepts voluntary expenditure limits, as specified, to purchase space to place a statement in the voter information portion of the sample ballot that does not exceed 250 words.This bill would allow the statement to include the party affiliation of the candidate and the candidates membership or activity in partisan political organizations. The bill would require the office of the elections official to notify a candidate who files a statement with the elections official whether the statement was approved or rejected, as specified. By imposing additional duties on local elections officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the acts purposes upon a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and compliance with specified procedural requirements.This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.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.Existing law requires a candidate running for elective office in a multicounty district who desires to have a candidate statement printed in a county voter information guide to submit the statement in a manner that complies with both state and local requirements for the county publishing the voter information guide.This bill would allow a candidate running for United States Representative or State Senate or Assembly in a multicounty district to submit their candidate statement to the Secretary of State for review and approval based on the statements conformance with state law, as specified. If the candidate receives approval from the Secretary of State for their candidate statement and submits the statement to the county elections official in the manner specified, the county elections official would be required to accept the statement and would be prohibited from requiring any modification to the approved language. The county elections official would be permitted to make formatting changes to candidate statements approved by the Secretary of State. The bill would require a candidate running for United States Representative or State Senate or Assembly in a multicounty district who chooses to use a statement approved by the Secretary of State in one county to use the same statement in any other county where the candidate submits a candidate statement. The bill would also make related conforming changes. By requiring local elections officials to perform additional duties, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.This bills provisions would become operative on July 1, 2025.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.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY2/3 Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 85601 of the Government Code is amended to read:85601. (a) A candidate for statewide elective office, as defined in Section 82053, who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the state ballot pamphlet that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with timeframes and procedures set forth by the Secretary of State for the preparation of the state ballot pamphlets.(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 88001 of this code or subdivision (e) of Section 9084 of the Elections Code, on and after November 6, 2002, the Secretary of State may not include in the state ballot pamphlet a statement from a candidate who has not voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400.(c) A candidate for State Senate or Assembly who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the voter information portion of the sample ballot that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with the timeframes and procedures set forth in the Elections Code for the preparation of the voter information portion of the sample ballot. The statement may include the party affiliation of the candidate, and membership or activity in partisan political organizations.(d) The office of the elections official shall notify a candidate if the statement has been approved or rejected upon filing if the statement is filed in the office of the elections official. If the statement is filed electronically, the office of the elections official shall notify the candidate if the statement has been approved or rejected within 24 hours of the statement being filed in the same manner by which the statement was submitted to the office of the elections official.SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that this bill furthers the purposes of the Political Reform Act of 1974 within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 81012 of the Government Code.SEC. 3. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.SECTION 1.Section 13307.7 of the Elections Code is amended to read:13307.7.(a)If the elections official posts the form to be used by a candidate to submit a candidate statement pursuant to Section 13307, Section 13307.5, or subdivision (c) of Section 85601 of the Government Code, on the elections officials internet website, the elections official shall accept the electronic submission of that form if it is submitted in accordance with the times and procedures set forth in this code for the preparation of the voter information portion of the county voter information guide. If the candidate is running in a multicounty district, the elections official of each county shall accept the form from the candidates county of residence; however, the candidate shall provide a hard copy of the candidate statement form and payment of the requisite fee to each county. The elections official shall not require the candidate to submit any additional forms as a means of correcting internet website posting errors made by the elections official.(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an elections official may require a candidate to provide additional information that the official needs to comply with state law and county voter information guide requirements.(c)This section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2025, and, as of January 1, 2026, is repealed.SEC. 2.Section 13307.7 is added to the Elections Code, to read:13307.7.(a)If the elections official posts the form to be used by a candidate to submit a candidate statement pursuant to Section 13307, Section 13307.5, or subdivision (c) of Section 85601 of the Government Code, on the elections officials internet website the elections official shall accept the electronic submission of that form if it is submitted in accordance with the times and procedures set forth in this code for the preparation of the voter information portion of the county voter information guide. If the candidate is running in a multicounty district, the elections official of each county shall accept the form from the candidates county of residence or the candidates statement text approved by the Secretary of State pursuant to Section 13307.9; however, the candidate shall provide a hard copy of the candidate statement form and payment of the requisite fee to each county. If using a statement approved by the Secretary of State pursuant to Section 13307.9, the candidate shall include an electronic copy of the Secretary of States approval with the electronic submission of the candidates statement. The elections official shall not require the candidate to submit any additional forms as a means of correcting internet website posting errors made by the elections official.(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), unless the candidates statement has been approved by the Secretary of State, an elections official may require a candidate to provide additional information that the official needs to comply with state law and county voter information guide requirements.(c)This section shall become operative on July 1, 2025.SEC. 3.Section 13307.9 is added to the Elections Code, to read:13307.9.(a)A candidate running in a multicounty district for United States Representative or State Senate or Assembly may submit their candidate statement, as permitted under Section 13307.5 or subdivision (c) of Section 85601 of the Government Code, to the Secretary of State for approval no later than 118 days before the election.(b)If the candidate receives approval from the Secretary of State for their candidate statement pursuant to subsection (a) before the submission deadline of the county elections official as set forth in this chapter and the candidate statement is submitted in accordance with the times and procedures set forth in this chapter for the preparation of the voter information portion of the county voter information guide, the elections official of each county shall accept the candidate statement approved by the Secretary of State and shall not require any modification to the approved language. The elections official may modify the formatting of the approved candidate statement. The candidate shall provide a hard copy of the candidate statement form with a copy of the Secretary of States approval and payment of the requisite fee to each county.(c)The Secretary of State shall review a candidate statement submitted by a candidate for United States Representative or State Senate or Assembly running in a multicounty district, if such candidate is permitted to submit a candidate statement for publishing in a county voter information guide pursuant to Section 13307.5 or subdivision (c) of Section 85601 of the Government Code. The Secretary of State shall approve the candidate statement if it conforms to the standards set forth in this chapter and subdivision (c) of Section 85601 of the Government Code, if applicable. The Secretary of State shall notify the candidate in writing of the approval or rejection of the candidates statement within ____ days of receipt of the candidates statement by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of States approval shall be valid for a single election.(d)(1) If a candidate running for United States Representative or State Senate or Assembly in a multicounty district uses a candidate statement approved by the Secretary of State in accordance with this section, the same statement shall be used in all counties where the candidate submits a statement for inclusion in the county voter information guide.(2)A candidate described in subdivision (a) who does not submit a statement approved by the Secretary of State in accordance with this section may choose to submit different candidate statements to different counties.(e)This section shall become operative on July 1, 2025.SEC. 4.Section 13311 of the Elections Code is amended to read:13311.(a)Notwithstanding the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code), the statements filed pursuant to Section 13307 shall remain confidential until the expiration of the filing deadline.(b)This section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2025, and, as of January 1, 2026, is repealed.SEC. 5.Section 13311 is added to the Elections Code, to read:13311.(a)Notwithstanding the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code), the statements filed pursuant to Sections 13307 and 13307.9 shall remain confidential until the expiration of the filing deadline.(b)This section shall become operative on July 1, 2025.SEC. 6.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
Amended IN Assembly June 27, 2023 Amended IN Senate May 18, 2023 Amended IN Senate March 21, 2023 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 632Introduced by Senator CaballeroFebruary 16, 2023 An act to amend, repeal, and add Sections 13307.7 and 13311 of, and to add Section 13307.9 to, the Elections Code, relating to elections. An act to Section 85601 of the Government Code, relating to the Political Reform Act of 1974.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 632, as amended, Caballero. Candidate statements.Political Reform Act of 1974: Candidate statements.Existing law allows a candidate for State Senate or Assembly who accepts voluntary expenditure limits, as specified, to purchase space to place a statement in the voter information portion of the sample ballot that does not exceed 250 words.This bill would allow the statement to include the party affiliation of the candidate and the candidates membership or activity in partisan political organizations. The bill would require the office of the elections official to notify a candidate who files a statement with the elections official whether the statement was approved or rejected, as specified. By imposing additional duties on local elections officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the acts purposes upon a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and compliance with specified procedural requirements.This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.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.Existing law requires a candidate running for elective office in a multicounty district who desires to have a candidate statement printed in a county voter information guide to submit the statement in a manner that complies with both state and local requirements for the county publishing the voter information guide.This bill would allow a candidate running for United States Representative or State Senate or Assembly in a multicounty district to submit their candidate statement to the Secretary of State for review and approval based on the statements conformance with state law, as specified. If the candidate receives approval from the Secretary of State for their candidate statement and submits the statement to the county elections official in the manner specified, the county elections official would be required to accept the statement and would be prohibited from requiring any modification to the approved language. The county elections official would be permitted to make formatting changes to candidate statements approved by the Secretary of State. The bill would require a candidate running for United States Representative or State Senate or Assembly in a multicounty district who chooses to use a statement approved by the Secretary of State in one county to use the same statement in any other county where the candidate submits a candidate statement. The bill would also make related conforming changes. By requiring local elections officials to perform additional duties, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.This bills provisions would become operative on July 1, 2025.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.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY2/3 Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES
Amended IN Assembly June 27, 2023 Amended IN Senate May 18, 2023 Amended IN Senate March 21, 2023
Amended IN Assembly June 27, 2023
Amended IN Senate May 18, 2023
Amended IN Senate March 21, 2023
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 632
Introduced by Senator CaballeroFebruary 16, 2023
Introduced by Senator Caballero
February 16, 2023
An act to amend, repeal, and add Sections 13307.7 and 13311 of, and to add Section 13307.9 to, the Elections Code, relating to elections. An act to Section 85601 of the Government Code, relating to the Political Reform Act of 1974.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 632, as amended, Caballero. Candidate statements.Political Reform Act of 1974: Candidate statements.
Existing law allows a candidate for State Senate or Assembly who accepts voluntary expenditure limits, as specified, to purchase space to place a statement in the voter information portion of the sample ballot that does not exceed 250 words.This bill would allow the statement to include the party affiliation of the candidate and the candidates membership or activity in partisan political organizations. The bill would require the office of the elections official to notify a candidate who files a statement with the elections official whether the statement was approved or rejected, as specified. By imposing additional duties on local elections officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the acts purposes upon a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and compliance with specified procedural requirements.This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.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.Existing law requires a candidate running for elective office in a multicounty district who desires to have a candidate statement printed in a county voter information guide to submit the statement in a manner that complies with both state and local requirements for the county publishing the voter information guide.This bill would allow a candidate running for United States Representative or State Senate or Assembly in a multicounty district to submit their candidate statement to the Secretary of State for review and approval based on the statements conformance with state law, as specified. If the candidate receives approval from the Secretary of State for their candidate statement and submits the statement to the county elections official in the manner specified, the county elections official would be required to accept the statement and would be prohibited from requiring any modification to the approved language. The county elections official would be permitted to make formatting changes to candidate statements approved by the Secretary of State. The bill would require a candidate running for United States Representative or State Senate or Assembly in a multicounty district who chooses to use a statement approved by the Secretary of State in one county to use the same statement in any other county where the candidate submits a candidate statement. The bill would also make related conforming changes. By requiring local elections officials to perform additional duties, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.This bills provisions would become operative on July 1, 2025.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.
Existing law allows a candidate for State Senate or Assembly who accepts voluntary expenditure limits, as specified, to purchase space to place a statement in the voter information portion of the sample ballot that does not exceed 250 words.
This bill would allow the statement to include the party affiliation of the candidate and the candidates membership or activity in partisan political organizations. The bill would require the office of the elections official to notify a candidate who files a statement with the elections official whether the statement was approved or rejected, as specified. By imposing additional duties on local elections officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the acts purposes upon a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and compliance with specified procedural requirements.
This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.
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.
Existing law requires a candidate running for elective office in a multicounty district who desires to have a candidate statement printed in a county voter information guide to submit the statement in a manner that complies with both state and local requirements for the county publishing the voter information guide.
This bill would allow a candidate running for United States Representative or State Senate or Assembly in a multicounty district to submit their candidate statement to the Secretary of State for review and approval based on the statements conformance with state law, as specified. If the candidate receives approval from the Secretary of State for their candidate statement and submits the statement to the county elections official in the manner specified, the county elections official would be required to accept the statement and would be prohibited from requiring any modification to the approved language. The county elections official would be permitted to make formatting changes to candidate statements approved by the Secretary of State. The bill would require a candidate running for United States Representative or State Senate or Assembly in a multicounty district who chooses to use a statement approved by the Secretary of State in one county to use the same statement in any other county where the candidate submits a candidate statement. The bill would also make related conforming changes. By requiring local elections officials to perform additional duties, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
This bills provisions would become operative on July 1, 2025.
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.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 85601 of the Government Code is amended to read:85601. (a) A candidate for statewide elective office, as defined in Section 82053, who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the state ballot pamphlet that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with timeframes and procedures set forth by the Secretary of State for the preparation of the state ballot pamphlets.(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 88001 of this code or subdivision (e) of Section 9084 of the Elections Code, on and after November 6, 2002, the Secretary of State may not include in the state ballot pamphlet a statement from a candidate who has not voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400.(c) A candidate for State Senate or Assembly who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the voter information portion of the sample ballot that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with the timeframes and procedures set forth in the Elections Code for the preparation of the voter information portion of the sample ballot. The statement may include the party affiliation of the candidate, and membership or activity in partisan political organizations.(d) The office of the elections official shall notify a candidate if the statement has been approved or rejected upon filing if the statement is filed in the office of the elections official. If the statement is filed electronically, the office of the elections official shall notify the candidate if the statement has been approved or rejected within 24 hours of the statement being filed in the same manner by which the statement was submitted to the office of the elections official.SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that this bill furthers the purposes of the Political Reform Act of 1974 within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 81012 of the Government Code.SEC. 3. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.SECTION 1.Section 13307.7 of the Elections Code is amended to read:13307.7.(a)If the elections official posts the form to be used by a candidate to submit a candidate statement pursuant to Section 13307, Section 13307.5, or subdivision (c) of Section 85601 of the Government Code, on the elections officials internet website, the elections official shall accept the electronic submission of that form if it is submitted in accordance with the times and procedures set forth in this code for the preparation of the voter information portion of the county voter information guide. If the candidate is running in a multicounty district, the elections official of each county shall accept the form from the candidates county of residence; however, the candidate shall provide a hard copy of the candidate statement form and payment of the requisite fee to each county. The elections official shall not require the candidate to submit any additional forms as a means of correcting internet website posting errors made by the elections official.(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an elections official may require a candidate to provide additional information that the official needs to comply with state law and county voter information guide requirements.(c)This section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2025, and, as of January 1, 2026, is repealed.SEC. 2.Section 13307.7 is added to the Elections Code, to read:13307.7.(a)If the elections official posts the form to be used by a candidate to submit a candidate statement pursuant to Section 13307, Section 13307.5, or subdivision (c) of Section 85601 of the Government Code, on the elections officials internet website the elections official shall accept the electronic submission of that form if it is submitted in accordance with the times and procedures set forth in this code for the preparation of the voter information portion of the county voter information guide. If the candidate is running in a multicounty district, the elections official of each county shall accept the form from the candidates county of residence or the candidates statement text approved by the Secretary of State pursuant to Section 13307.9; however, the candidate shall provide a hard copy of the candidate statement form and payment of the requisite fee to each county. If using a statement approved by the Secretary of State pursuant to Section 13307.9, the candidate shall include an electronic copy of the Secretary of States approval with the electronic submission of the candidates statement. The elections official shall not require the candidate to submit any additional forms as a means of correcting internet website posting errors made by the elections official.(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), unless the candidates statement has been approved by the Secretary of State, an elections official may require a candidate to provide additional information that the official needs to comply with state law and county voter information guide requirements.(c)This section shall become operative on July 1, 2025.SEC. 3.Section 13307.9 is added to the Elections Code, to read:13307.9.(a)A candidate running in a multicounty district for United States Representative or State Senate or Assembly may submit their candidate statement, as permitted under Section 13307.5 or subdivision (c) of Section 85601 of the Government Code, to the Secretary of State for approval no later than 118 days before the election.(b)If the candidate receives approval from the Secretary of State for their candidate statement pursuant to subsection (a) before the submission deadline of the county elections official as set forth in this chapter and the candidate statement is submitted in accordance with the times and procedures set forth in this chapter for the preparation of the voter information portion of the county voter information guide, the elections official of each county shall accept the candidate statement approved by the Secretary of State and shall not require any modification to the approved language. The elections official may modify the formatting of the approved candidate statement. The candidate shall provide a hard copy of the candidate statement form with a copy of the Secretary of States approval and payment of the requisite fee to each county.(c)The Secretary of State shall review a candidate statement submitted by a candidate for United States Representative or State Senate or Assembly running in a multicounty district, if such candidate is permitted to submit a candidate statement for publishing in a county voter information guide pursuant to Section 13307.5 or subdivision (c) of Section 85601 of the Government Code. The Secretary of State shall approve the candidate statement if it conforms to the standards set forth in this chapter and subdivision (c) of Section 85601 of the Government Code, if applicable. The Secretary of State shall notify the candidate in writing of the approval or rejection of the candidates statement within ____ days of receipt of the candidates statement by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of States approval shall be valid for a single election.(d)(1) If a candidate running for United States Representative or State Senate or Assembly in a multicounty district uses a candidate statement approved by the Secretary of State in accordance with this section, the same statement shall be used in all counties where the candidate submits a statement for inclusion in the county voter information guide.(2)A candidate described in subdivision (a) who does not submit a statement approved by the Secretary of State in accordance with this section may choose to submit different candidate statements to different counties.(e)This section shall become operative on July 1, 2025.SEC. 4.Section 13311 of the Elections Code is amended to read:13311.(a)Notwithstanding the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code), the statements filed pursuant to Section 13307 shall remain confidential until the expiration of the filing deadline.(b)This section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2025, and, as of January 1, 2026, is repealed.SEC. 5.Section 13311 is added to the Elections Code, to read:13311.(a)Notwithstanding the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code), the statements filed pursuant to Sections 13307 and 13307.9 shall remain confidential until the expiration of the filing deadline.(b)This section shall become operative on July 1, 2025.SEC. 6.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 85601 of the Government Code is amended to read:85601. (a) A candidate for statewide elective office, as defined in Section 82053, who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the state ballot pamphlet that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with timeframes and procedures set forth by the Secretary of State for the preparation of the state ballot pamphlets.(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 88001 of this code or subdivision (e) of Section 9084 of the Elections Code, on and after November 6, 2002, the Secretary of State may not include in the state ballot pamphlet a statement from a candidate who has not voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400.(c) A candidate for State Senate or Assembly who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the voter information portion of the sample ballot that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with the timeframes and procedures set forth in the Elections Code for the preparation of the voter information portion of the sample ballot. The statement may include the party affiliation of the candidate, and membership or activity in partisan political organizations.(d) The office of the elections official shall notify a candidate if the statement has been approved or rejected upon filing if the statement is filed in the office of the elections official. If the statement is filed electronically, the office of the elections official shall notify the candidate if the statement has been approved or rejected within 24 hours of the statement being filed in the same manner by which the statement was submitted to the office of the elections official.
SECTION 1. Section 85601 of the Government Code is amended to read:
### SECTION 1.
85601. (a) A candidate for statewide elective office, as defined in Section 82053, who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the state ballot pamphlet that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with timeframes and procedures set forth by the Secretary of State for the preparation of the state ballot pamphlets.(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 88001 of this code or subdivision (e) of Section 9084 of the Elections Code, on and after November 6, 2002, the Secretary of State may not include in the state ballot pamphlet a statement from a candidate who has not voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400.(c) A candidate for State Senate or Assembly who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the voter information portion of the sample ballot that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with the timeframes and procedures set forth in the Elections Code for the preparation of the voter information portion of the sample ballot. The statement may include the party affiliation of the candidate, and membership or activity in partisan political organizations.(d) The office of the elections official shall notify a candidate if the statement has been approved or rejected upon filing if the statement is filed in the office of the elections official. If the statement is filed electronically, the office of the elections official shall notify the candidate if the statement has been approved or rejected within 24 hours of the statement being filed in the same manner by which the statement was submitted to the office of the elections official.
85601. (a) A candidate for statewide elective office, as defined in Section 82053, who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the state ballot pamphlet that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with timeframes and procedures set forth by the Secretary of State for the preparation of the state ballot pamphlets.(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 88001 of this code or subdivision (e) of Section 9084 of the Elections Code, on and after November 6, 2002, the Secretary of State may not include in the state ballot pamphlet a statement from a candidate who has not voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400.(c) A candidate for State Senate or Assembly who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the voter information portion of the sample ballot that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with the timeframes and procedures set forth in the Elections Code for the preparation of the voter information portion of the sample ballot. The statement may include the party affiliation of the candidate, and membership or activity in partisan political organizations.(d) The office of the elections official shall notify a candidate if the statement has been approved or rejected upon filing if the statement is filed in the office of the elections official. If the statement is filed electronically, the office of the elections official shall notify the candidate if the statement has been approved or rejected within 24 hours of the statement being filed in the same manner by which the statement was submitted to the office of the elections official.
85601. (a) A candidate for statewide elective office, as defined in Section 82053, who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the state ballot pamphlet that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with timeframes and procedures set forth by the Secretary of State for the preparation of the state ballot pamphlets.(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 88001 of this code or subdivision (e) of Section 9084 of the Elections Code, on and after November 6, 2002, the Secretary of State may not include in the state ballot pamphlet a statement from a candidate who has not voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400.(c) A candidate for State Senate or Assembly who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the voter information portion of the sample ballot that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with the timeframes and procedures set forth in the Elections Code for the preparation of the voter information portion of the sample ballot. The statement may include the party affiliation of the candidate, and membership or activity in partisan political organizations.(d) The office of the elections official shall notify a candidate if the statement has been approved or rejected upon filing if the statement is filed in the office of the elections official. If the statement is filed electronically, the office of the elections official shall notify the candidate if the statement has been approved or rejected within 24 hours of the statement being filed in the same manner by which the statement was submitted to the office of the elections official.
85601. (a) A candidate for statewide elective office, as defined in Section 82053, who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the state ballot pamphlet that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with timeframes and procedures set forth by the Secretary of State for the preparation of the state ballot pamphlets.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 88001 of this code or subdivision (e) of Section 9084 of the Elections Code, on and after November 6, 2002, the Secretary of State may not include in the state ballot pamphlet a statement from a candidate who has not voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400.
(c) A candidate for State Senate or Assembly who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the voter information portion of the sample ballot that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with the timeframes and procedures set forth in the Elections Code for the preparation of the voter information portion of the sample ballot. The statement may include the party affiliation of the candidate, and membership or activity in partisan political organizations.
(d) The office of the elections official shall notify a candidate if the statement has been approved or rejected upon filing if the statement is filed in the office of the elections official. If the statement is filed electronically, the office of the elections official shall notify the candidate if the statement has been approved or rejected within 24 hours of the statement being filed in the same manner by which the statement was submitted to the office of the elections official.
SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that this bill furthers the purposes of the Political Reform Act of 1974 within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 81012 of the Government Code.
SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that this bill furthers the purposes of the Political Reform Act of 1974 within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 81012 of the Government Code.
SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that this bill furthers the purposes of the Political Reform Act of 1974 within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 81012 of the Government Code.
### SEC. 2.
SEC. 3. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
SEC. 3. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
SEC. 3. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
### SEC. 3.
(a)If the elections official posts the form to be used by a candidate to submit a candidate statement pursuant to Section 13307, Section 13307.5, or subdivision (c) of Section 85601 of the Government Code, on the elections officials internet website, the elections official shall accept the electronic submission of that form if it is submitted in accordance with the times and procedures set forth in this code for the preparation of the voter information portion of the county voter information guide. If the candidate is running in a multicounty district, the elections official of each county shall accept the form from the candidates county of residence; however, the candidate shall provide a hard copy of the candidate statement form and payment of the requisite fee to each county. The elections official shall not require the candidate to submit any additional forms as a means of correcting internet website posting errors made by the elections official.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an elections official may require a candidate to provide additional information that the official needs to comply with state law and county voter information guide requirements.
(c)This section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2025, and, as of January 1, 2026, is repealed.
(a)If the elections official posts the form to be used by a candidate to submit a candidate statement pursuant to Section 13307, Section 13307.5, or subdivision (c) of Section 85601 of the Government Code, on the elections officials internet website the elections official shall accept the electronic submission of that form if it is submitted in accordance with the times and procedures set forth in this code for the preparation of the voter information portion of the county voter information guide. If the candidate is running in a multicounty district, the elections official of each county shall accept the form from the candidates county of residence or the candidates statement text approved by the Secretary of State pursuant to Section 13307.9; however, the candidate shall provide a hard copy of the candidate statement form and payment of the requisite fee to each county. If using a statement approved by the Secretary of State pursuant to Section 13307.9, the candidate shall include an electronic copy of the Secretary of States approval with the electronic submission of the candidates statement. The elections official shall not require the candidate to submit any additional forms as a means of correcting internet website posting errors made by the elections official.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), unless the candidates statement has been approved by the Secretary of State, an elections official may require a candidate to provide additional information that the official needs to comply with state law and county voter information guide requirements.
(c)This section shall become operative on July 1, 2025.
(a)A candidate running in a multicounty district for United States Representative or State Senate or Assembly may submit their candidate statement, as permitted under Section 13307.5 or subdivision (c) of Section 85601 of the Government Code, to the Secretary of State for approval no later than 118 days before the election.
(b)If the candidate receives approval from the Secretary of State for their candidate statement pursuant to subsection (a) before the submission deadline of the county elections official as set forth in this chapter and the candidate statement is submitted in accordance with the times and procedures set forth in this chapter for the preparation of the voter information portion of the county voter information guide, the elections official of each county shall accept the candidate statement approved by the Secretary of State and shall not require any modification to the approved language. The elections official may modify the formatting of the approved candidate statement. The candidate shall provide a hard copy of the candidate statement form with a copy of the Secretary of States approval and payment of the requisite fee to each county.
(c)The Secretary of State shall review a candidate statement submitted by a candidate for United States Representative or State Senate or Assembly running in a multicounty district, if such candidate is permitted to submit a candidate statement for publishing in a county voter information guide pursuant to Section 13307.5 or subdivision (c) of Section 85601 of the Government Code. The Secretary of State shall approve the candidate statement if it conforms to the standards set forth in this chapter and subdivision (c) of Section 85601 of the Government Code, if applicable. The Secretary of State shall notify the candidate in writing of the approval or rejection of the candidates statement within ____ days of receipt of the candidates statement by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of States approval shall be valid for a single election.
(d)(1) If a candidate running for United States Representative or State Senate or Assembly in a multicounty district uses a candidate statement approved by the Secretary of State in accordance with this section, the same statement shall be used in all counties where the candidate submits a statement for inclusion in the county voter information guide.
(2)A candidate described in subdivision (a) who does not submit a statement approved by the Secretary of State in accordance with this section may choose to submit different candidate statements to different counties.
(e)This section shall become operative on July 1, 2025.
(a)Notwithstanding the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code), the statements filed pursuant to Section 13307 shall remain confidential until the expiration of the filing deadline.
(b)This section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2025, and, as of January 1, 2026, is repealed.
(a)Notwithstanding the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code), the statements filed pursuant to Sections 13307 and 13307.9 shall remain confidential until the expiration of the filing deadline.
(b)This section shall become operative on July 1, 2025.
If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.