California 2025-2026 Regular Session

California Assembly Bill AB331 Compare Versions

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1-Amended IN Assembly April 21, 2025 Amended IN Assembly April 02, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 331Introduced by Assembly Member PellerinJanuary 27, 2025An act to amend Sections 15371, 15372, 15375, 15400, and 18568 of, and to add Sections 9094.6 and 13318 to, the Elections Code, relating to elections. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 331, as amended, Pellerin. Elections: duties of election officials: voter information guides.(1) Existing law requires an elections official, upon completion of the count, to add the results of write-in votes and any paper ballots used as certified by the precinct board, and thereupon declare the vote. Existing law requires the elections official to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the governing body within 30 days of the election, as specified. Existing law requires the elections official to send to the Secretary of State within 31 days of the election in an electronic format a complete copy of specified election results, including the vote given for persons for electors of President and Vice President of the United States, all candidates voted for statewide office, and all statewide measures.This bill would specify that the duties described above imposed on election elections officials are ministerial and nondiscretionary.This bill would require elections officials who fail to prepare a certified statement of the result of the election, as described above, to immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election to the Secretary of State. The bill would require the Secretary of State to then make all necessary determinations and certify the results of the election as soon as practicable. The bill would specify that all costs associated with the Secretary of State completing the canvass and certification of the election must be borne by the county that failed to timely certify its election results. Existing law, if the Secretary of State determines that state election laws are not being enforced, requires the Secretary of State to call the violation of those laws to the attention of the district attorney of the county or to the Attorney General.This bill, if an elections official fails to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election, would require the Secretary of State to call the violation to the attention of the district attorney of the county or to the Attorney General and authorize the Secretary of State to assist the county elections official in discharging their duties, consistent with those provisions.(2) Existing law requires a governing body to declare elected or nominated the person having the highest number of votes for each office voted on at an election under its jurisdiction and to declare the results of each measure voted on at an election under its jurisdiction.This bill would specify that these duties are ministerial and nondiscretionary.(3) Existing law requires the Secretary of State to prepare a state voter information guide that includes, among other things, a complete copy of each state measure, the Voter Bill of Rights, and information on candidates for the office of United States Senator and the offices of President and Vice President, as specified. Existing law requires county elections officials to prepare a county voter information guide that contains, among other things, voluntary statements by a candidate for nonpartisan elective office.This bill would require the Secretary of State and county elections officials to prepare voter information guides for county jail facilities in a format that will be accepted by jail facilities. The bill would require county jail officials to work in good faith with the Secretary of State and county election elections officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election. By requiring county elections officials to prepare voter information guides for each jail in their jurisdiction, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (4) Existing law makes it a crime to display a container for the purpose of collecting ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot box. Existing law also makes it a crime to direct or solicit a voter to place a ballot in such a container. Existing law makes these crimes punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000, by imprisonment for 16 months or two or three years, or by both fine and imprisonment.This bill would also make it a crime to display an envelope for the purpose of collecting ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot box. The bill would make it a crime to direct or solicit a voter to place a ballot in such an envelope. By expanding the scope of these crimes, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.(5) 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 with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 9094.6 is added to the Elections Code, to read:9094.6. (a) The Secretary of State shall prepare a state voter information guide for each county jail in the state in a format that will be accepted by county jail facilities and shall make that guide available to registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of state voter information guides the Secretary of State makes available to registered voters inside each facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each registered voter.(c) County jail officials shall work in good faith with the Secretary of State to ensure delivery of state voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.SEC. 2. Section 13318 is added to the Elections Code, to read:13318. (a) County elections officials shall prepare county voter information guides for each county jail within their jurisdiction in a format that will be accepted by the county jail facility and shall make that guide available to registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of county voter information guides the county elections officials make available to registered voters inside the facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each registered voter.(c) County jail officials shall work in good faith with county election officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.SEC. 3. Section 15371 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15371. (a) Upon completion of the count, the elections official shall add to the results as so determined, the results of the write-in votes and any paper ballots used as certified by the precinct board, and thereupon shall declare the vote, and forthwith post one copy at the counting place for public inspection.(b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.SEC. 4. Section 15372 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15372. (a) The elections official shall prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the governing body within 30 days of the election or, in the case of school district, community college district, county board of education, or special district elections conducted on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years, no later than the last Monday before the last Friday of that month.(b) The elections official shall post the certified statement of the results of the election on the elections officials internet website in a downloadable spreadsheet format that may include, but is not limited to, a comma-separated values file or a tab-separated values file and that is compatible with a spreadsheet software application that is widely used at the time of the posting. The certified statement of the election results shall be posted and maintained on the elections officials internet website for at least 10 years following the election. This subdivision shall apply only to an elections official who uses a computer system that has the capability of producing the election results in a downloadable spreadsheet format without requiring modification of the computer system.(c) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.(d) (1)If the election elections official fails to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election as specified in subdivision (a), the election official shall immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election, including all ballots and paper cast vote records, to the Secretary of State. the Secretary of State shall call the violation to the attention of the district attorney of the county or to the Attorney General and may assist the county elections official in discharging the officers duties, consistent with subdivision (b) of Section 12172.5 of the Government Code.(2)After receipt of the records and information described in paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall make all necessary determinations and certify the results of the election as soon as practicable.(3)The governing body and all other county staff necessary to complete the canvass and certification of the election shall be present and available at all times during the completion of the canvass and certification by the Secretary of State.(4)All costs associated with the completion of the canvass and certification of the election by the Secretary of State shall be borne by the county that fails to timely certify its election results.SEC. 5. Section 15375 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15375. (a) The elections official shall send to the Secretary of State within 31 days of the election in an electronic format in the manner requested one complete copy of all results as to each of the following:(1) All candidates voted for statewide office.(2) All candidates voted for the following offices:(A) Member of the State Assembly.(B) Member of the State Senate.(C) Member of the United States House of Representatives.(D) Member of the State Board of Equalization.(E) Justice of the Court of Appeal.(F) Judge of the superior court.(3) All persons voted for at the presidential primary. The results for all persons voted for at the presidential primary for delegates to national conventions shall be canvassed and shall be sent within 28 days after the election.(4) The vote given for persons for electors of President and Vice President of the United States. The results for presidential electors shall be endorsed Presidential Election Returns and shall be canvassed and sent within 28 days after the election.(5) All statewide measures.(6) The total number of ballots cast.(b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.SEC. 6. Section 15400 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15400. (a) It is the ministerial and nondiscretionary duty of the governing body to declare elected or nominated to each office voted on at each election under its jurisdiction the person having the highest number of votes for that office, or who was elected or nominated under the exceptions noted in Section 15452.(b) It is the ministerial and nondiscretionary duty of the governing board to declare the results of each election under its jurisdiction as to each measure voted on at the election.SEC. 7. Section 18568 of the Elections Code is amended to read:18568. Every person is punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three years, or by both that fine and imprisonment, who:(a) Aids in changing or destroying any poll list or official ballot.(b) Aids in wrongfully placing any ballots in the ballot container or in taking any therefrom.(c) Adds or attempts to add any ballots to those legally polled at any election by fraudulently putting them into the ballot container, either before or after the ballots therein have been counted.(d) Adds to or mixes with, or attempts to add to or mix with, the ballots polled, any other ballots, while they are being counted or canvassed or at any other time, with intent to change the result of the election, or allows another to do so, when in the persons power to prevent it.(e) Carries away or destroys, attempts to carry away or destroy, or knowingly allows another to carry away or destroy, any poll list, ballot container, or ballots lawfully polled or who willfully detains, mutilates, or destroys any election returns.(f) Removes any unvoted ballots from the polling place before the completion of the ballot count.(g) Displays a container or provides an envelope for the purpose of collecting or returning ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot or returning a ballot in an unofficial ballot return envelope. Evidence of intent to deceive may include using the word official on the container or envelope, or otherwise fashioning the container or envelope in a way that is likely to deceive a voter into believing that the container or envelope is an official collection box or official ballot return envelope that has been approved by an elections official.(h) Directs or solicits a voter to place a ballot in a container or envelope prohibited by subdivision (g).SEC. 8. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution for certain costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district because, in that regard, this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.However, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains other 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.
1+Amended IN Assembly April 02, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 331Introduced by Assembly Member PellerinJanuary 27, 2025 An act to amend Sections 15371, 15372, 15375, 15400, and 18568 of, and to add Sections 9094.6 and 13318 to, the Elections Code, relating to elections. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 331, as amended, Pellerin. Elections: duties of election officials: voter information guides.(1) Existing law requires an elections official, upon completion of the count, to add the results of write-in votes and any paper ballots used as certified by the precinct board, and thereupon declare the vote. Existing law requires the elections official to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the governing body within 30 days of the election, as specified. Existing law requires the elections official to send to the Secretary of State within 31 days of the election in an electronic format a complete copy of specified election results, including the vote given for persons for electors of President and Vice President of the United States, all candidates voted for statewide office, and all statewide measures.This bill would specify that the duties described above imposed on election officials are ministerial and nondiscretionary.This bill would require elections officials who fail to prepare a certified statement of the result of the election, as described above, to immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election to the Secretary of State. The bill would require the Secretary of State to then make all necessary determinations and certify the results of the election as soon as practicable. The bill would specify that all costs associated with the Secretary of State completing the canvass and certification of the election must be borne by the county that failed to timely certify its election results. (2) Existing law requires a governing body to declare elected or nominated the person having the highest number of votes for each office voted on at an election under its jurisdiction and to declare the results of each measure voted on at an election under its jurisdiction.This bill would specify that these duties are ministerial and nondiscretionary.(3) Existing law requires the Secretary of State to prepare a state voter information guide that includes, among other things, a complete copy of each state measure, the Voter Bill of Rights, and information on candidates for the office of United States Senator and the offices of President and Vice President, as specified. Existing law requires county elections officials to prepare a county voter information guide that contains, among other things, voluntary statements by a candidate for nonpartisan elective office.This bill would require the Secretary of State and county elections officials to prepare voter information guides for county jail facilities in a format that will be accepted by jail facilities. The bill would require county jail officials to work in good faith with the Secretary of State and county election officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election. By requiring county elections officials to prepare voter information guides for each jail in their jurisdiction, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (4) Existing law makes it a crime to display a container for the purpose of collecting ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot box. Existing law also makes it a crime to direct or solicit a voter to place a ballot in such a container. Existing law makes these crimes publishable punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000, by imprisonment for 16 months or two or three years, or by both fine and imprisonment.This bill would also make it a crime to display an envelope for the purpose of collecting ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot box. The bill would make it a crime to direct or solicit a voter to place a ballot in such an envelope. By expanding the scope of these crimes, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.(5) 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 with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 9094.6 is added to the Elections Code, to read:9094.6. (a) The Secretary of State shall prepare a state voter information guide for each county jail in the state in a format that will be accepted by county jail facilities and shall make that guide available to eligible voters inside each registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of state voter information guides the Secretary of State makes available to eligible registered voters inside each facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all eligible registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each eligible voter registered voter.(c) Jail County jail officials shall work in good faith with the Secretary of State to ensure delivery of state voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.SEC. 2. Section 13318 is added to the Elections Code, to read:13318. (a) County elections officials shall prepare county voter information guides for each county jail within their jurisdiction in a format that will be accepted by the county jail facility and shall make that guide available to eligible voters inside the registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of county voter information guides the county elections officials make available to eligible registered voters inside the facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all eligible registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each eligible voter registered voter.(c) Jail County jail officials shall work in good faith with county election officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.SEC. 3. Section 15371 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15371. (a) Upon completion of the count, the elections official shall add to the results as so determined, the results of the write-in votes and any paper ballots used as certified by the precinct board, and thereupon shall declare the vote, and forthwith post one copy at the counting place for public inspection.(b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.SEC. 4. Section 15372 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15372. (a) The elections official shall prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the governing body within 30 days of the election or, in the case of school district, community college district, county board of education, or special district elections conducted on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years, no later than the last Monday before the last Friday of that month.(b) The elections official shall post the certified statement of the results of the election on the elections officials internet website in a downloadable spreadsheet format that may include, but is not limited to, a comma-separated values file or a tab-separated values file and that is compatible with a spreadsheet software application that is widely used at the time of the posting. The certified statement of the election results shall be posted and maintained on the elections officials internet website for at least 10 years following the election. This subdivision shall apply only to an elections official who uses a computer system that has the capability of producing the election results in a downloadable spreadsheet format without requiring modification of the computer system.(c) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.(d) (1) If the election official fails to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election as specified in subdivision (a), the election official shall immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election, including all ballots and paper cast vote records, to the Secretary of State.(2) After receipt of the records and information described in paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall make all necessary determinations and certify the results of the election as soon as practicable.(3) The governing body and all other county staff necessary to complete the canvass and certification of the election shall be present and available at all times during the completion of the canvass and certification by the Secretary of State.(4) All costs associated with the completion of the canvass and certification of the election by the Secretary of State shall be borne by the county that fails to timely certify its election results.SEC. 5. Section 15375 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15375. (a) The elections official shall send to the Secretary of State within 31 days of the election in an electronic format in the manner requested one complete copy of all results as to each of the following:(1) All candidates voted for statewide office.(2) All candidates voted for the following offices:(A) Member of the Assembly.(B) Member of the Senate.(C) Member of the United States House of Representatives.(D) Member of the State Board of Equalization.(E) Justice of the Court of Appeal.(F) Judge of the superior court.(3) All persons voted for at the presidential primary. The results for all persons voted for at the presidential primary for delegates to national conventions shall be canvassed and shall be sent within 28 days after the election.(4) The vote given for persons for electors of President and Vice President of the United States. The results for presidential electors shall be endorsed Presidential Election Returns and shall be canvassed and sent within 28 days after the election.(5) All statewide measures.(6) The total number of ballots cast.(b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.SEC. 6. Section 15400 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15400. (a) It is the ministerial and nondiscretionary duty of the governing body to declare elected or nominated to each office voted on at each election under its jurisdiction the person having the highest number of votes for that office, or who was elected or nominated under the exceptions noted in Section 15452.(b) It is the ministerial and nondiscretionary duty of the governing board to declare the results of each election under its jurisdiction as to each measure voted on at the election.SEC. 7. Section 18568 of the Elections Code is amended to read:18568. Every person is punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three years, or by both that fine and imprisonment, who:(a) Aids in changing or destroying any poll list or official ballot.(b) Aids in wrongfully placing any ballots in the ballot container or in taking any therefrom.(c) Adds or attempts to add any ballots to those legally polled at any election by fraudulently putting them into the ballot container, either before or after the ballots therein have been counted.(d) Adds to or mixes with, or attempts to add to or mix with, the ballots polled, any other ballots, while they are being counted or canvassed or at any other time, with intent to change the result of the election, or allows another to do so, when in the persons power to prevent it.(e) Carries away or destroys, attempts to carry away or destroy, or knowingly allows another to carry away or destroy, any poll list, ballot container, or ballots lawfully polled or who willfully detains, mutilates, or destroys any election returns.(f) Removes any unvoted ballots from the polling place before the completion of the ballot count.(g) Displays a container or provides an envelope for the purpose of collecting or returning ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot or returning a ballot in an unofficial ballot return envelope. Evidence of intent to deceive may include using the word official on the container or envelope, or otherwise fashioning the container or envelope in a way that is likely to deceive a voter into believing that the container or envelope is an official collection box or official ballot return envelope that has been approved by an elections official.(h) Directs or solicits a voter to place a ballot in a container or envelope prohibited by subdivision (g).SEC. 8. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution for certain costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district because, in that regard, this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.However, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains other 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.
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3-Amended IN Assembly April 21, 2025 Amended IN Assembly April 02, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 331Introduced by Assembly Member PellerinJanuary 27, 2025An act to amend Sections 15371, 15372, 15375, 15400, and 18568 of, and to add Sections 9094.6 and 13318 to, the Elections Code, relating to elections. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 331, as amended, Pellerin. Elections: duties of election officials: voter information guides.(1) Existing law requires an elections official, upon completion of the count, to add the results of write-in votes and any paper ballots used as certified by the precinct board, and thereupon declare the vote. Existing law requires the elections official to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the governing body within 30 days of the election, as specified. Existing law requires the elections official to send to the Secretary of State within 31 days of the election in an electronic format a complete copy of specified election results, including the vote given for persons for electors of President and Vice President of the United States, all candidates voted for statewide office, and all statewide measures.This bill would specify that the duties described above imposed on election elections officials are ministerial and nondiscretionary.This bill would require elections officials who fail to prepare a certified statement of the result of the election, as described above, to immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election to the Secretary of State. The bill would require the Secretary of State to then make all necessary determinations and certify the results of the election as soon as practicable. The bill would specify that all costs associated with the Secretary of State completing the canvass and certification of the election must be borne by the county that failed to timely certify its election results. Existing law, if the Secretary of State determines that state election laws are not being enforced, requires the Secretary of State to call the violation of those laws to the attention of the district attorney of the county or to the Attorney General.This bill, if an elections official fails to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election, would require the Secretary of State to call the violation to the attention of the district attorney of the county or to the Attorney General and authorize the Secretary of State to assist the county elections official in discharging their duties, consistent with those provisions.(2) Existing law requires a governing body to declare elected or nominated the person having the highest number of votes for each office voted on at an election under its jurisdiction and to declare the results of each measure voted on at an election under its jurisdiction.This bill would specify that these duties are ministerial and nondiscretionary.(3) Existing law requires the Secretary of State to prepare a state voter information guide that includes, among other things, a complete copy of each state measure, the Voter Bill of Rights, and information on candidates for the office of United States Senator and the offices of President and Vice President, as specified. Existing law requires county elections officials to prepare a county voter information guide that contains, among other things, voluntary statements by a candidate for nonpartisan elective office.This bill would require the Secretary of State and county elections officials to prepare voter information guides for county jail facilities in a format that will be accepted by jail facilities. The bill would require county jail officials to work in good faith with the Secretary of State and county election elections officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election. By requiring county elections officials to prepare voter information guides for each jail in their jurisdiction, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (4) Existing law makes it a crime to display a container for the purpose of collecting ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot box. Existing law also makes it a crime to direct or solicit a voter to place a ballot in such a container. Existing law makes these crimes punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000, by imprisonment for 16 months or two or three years, or by both fine and imprisonment.This bill would also make it a crime to display an envelope for the purpose of collecting ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot box. The bill would make it a crime to direct or solicit a voter to place a ballot in such an envelope. By expanding the scope of these crimes, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.(5) 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 with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES
3+ Amended IN Assembly April 02, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 331Introduced by Assembly Member PellerinJanuary 27, 2025 An act to amend Sections 15371, 15372, 15375, 15400, and 18568 of, and to add Sections 9094.6 and 13318 to, the Elections Code, relating to elections. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 331, as amended, Pellerin. Elections: duties of election officials: voter information guides.(1) Existing law requires an elections official, upon completion of the count, to add the results of write-in votes and any paper ballots used as certified by the precinct board, and thereupon declare the vote. Existing law requires the elections official to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the governing body within 30 days of the election, as specified. Existing law requires the elections official to send to the Secretary of State within 31 days of the election in an electronic format a complete copy of specified election results, including the vote given for persons for electors of President and Vice President of the United States, all candidates voted for statewide office, and all statewide measures.This bill would specify that the duties described above imposed on election officials are ministerial and nondiscretionary.This bill would require elections officials who fail to prepare a certified statement of the result of the election, as described above, to immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election to the Secretary of State. The bill would require the Secretary of State to then make all necessary determinations and certify the results of the election as soon as practicable. The bill would specify that all costs associated with the Secretary of State completing the canvass and certification of the election must be borne by the county that failed to timely certify its election results. (2) Existing law requires a governing body to declare elected or nominated the person having the highest number of votes for each office voted on at an election under its jurisdiction and to declare the results of each measure voted on at an election under its jurisdiction.This bill would specify that these duties are ministerial and nondiscretionary.(3) Existing law requires the Secretary of State to prepare a state voter information guide that includes, among other things, a complete copy of each state measure, the Voter Bill of Rights, and information on candidates for the office of United States Senator and the offices of President and Vice President, as specified. Existing law requires county elections officials to prepare a county voter information guide that contains, among other things, voluntary statements by a candidate for nonpartisan elective office.This bill would require the Secretary of State and county elections officials to prepare voter information guides for county jail facilities in a format that will be accepted by jail facilities. The bill would require county jail officials to work in good faith with the Secretary of State and county election officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election. By requiring county elections officials to prepare voter information guides for each jail in their jurisdiction, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (4) Existing law makes it a crime to display a container for the purpose of collecting ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot box. Existing law also makes it a crime to direct or solicit a voter to place a ballot in such a container. Existing law makes these crimes publishable punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000, by imprisonment for 16 months or two or three years, or by both fine and imprisonment.This bill would also make it a crime to display an envelope for the purpose of collecting ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot box. The bill would make it a crime to direct or solicit a voter to place a ballot in such an envelope. By expanding the scope of these crimes, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.(5) 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 with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES
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5-Amended IN Assembly April 21, 2025 Amended IN Assembly April 02, 2025
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7-Amended IN Assembly April 21, 2025
85 Amended IN Assembly April 02, 2025
96
10-
7+Amended IN Assembly April 02, 2025
118
129 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
1310
1411 Assembly Bill
1512
1613 No. 331
1714
1815 Introduced by Assembly Member PellerinJanuary 27, 2025
1916
2017 Introduced by Assembly Member Pellerin
2118 January 27, 2025
2219
23-
24-
2520 An act to amend Sections 15371, 15372, 15375, 15400, and 18568 of, and to add Sections 9094.6 and 13318 to, the Elections Code, relating to elections.
2621
2722 LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
2823
2924 ## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
3025
3126 AB 331, as amended, Pellerin. Elections: duties of election officials: voter information guides.
3227
33-(1) Existing law requires an elections official, upon completion of the count, to add the results of write-in votes and any paper ballots used as certified by the precinct board, and thereupon declare the vote. Existing law requires the elections official to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the governing body within 30 days of the election, as specified. Existing law requires the elections official to send to the Secretary of State within 31 days of the election in an electronic format a complete copy of specified election results, including the vote given for persons for electors of President and Vice President of the United States, all candidates voted for statewide office, and all statewide measures.This bill would specify that the duties described above imposed on election elections officials are ministerial and nondiscretionary.This bill would require elections officials who fail to prepare a certified statement of the result of the election, as described above, to immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election to the Secretary of State. The bill would require the Secretary of State to then make all necessary determinations and certify the results of the election as soon as practicable. The bill would specify that all costs associated with the Secretary of State completing the canvass and certification of the election must be borne by the county that failed to timely certify its election results. Existing law, if the Secretary of State determines that state election laws are not being enforced, requires the Secretary of State to call the violation of those laws to the attention of the district attorney of the county or to the Attorney General.This bill, if an elections official fails to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election, would require the Secretary of State to call the violation to the attention of the district attorney of the county or to the Attorney General and authorize the Secretary of State to assist the county elections official in discharging their duties, consistent with those provisions.(2) Existing law requires a governing body to declare elected or nominated the person having the highest number of votes for each office voted on at an election under its jurisdiction and to declare the results of each measure voted on at an election under its jurisdiction.This bill would specify that these duties are ministerial and nondiscretionary.(3) Existing law requires the Secretary of State to prepare a state voter information guide that includes, among other things, a complete copy of each state measure, the Voter Bill of Rights, and information on candidates for the office of United States Senator and the offices of President and Vice President, as specified. Existing law requires county elections officials to prepare a county voter information guide that contains, among other things, voluntary statements by a candidate for nonpartisan elective office.This bill would require the Secretary of State and county elections officials to prepare voter information guides for county jail facilities in a format that will be accepted by jail facilities. The bill would require county jail officials to work in good faith with the Secretary of State and county election elections officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election. By requiring county elections officials to prepare voter information guides for each jail in their jurisdiction, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (4) Existing law makes it a crime to display a container for the purpose of collecting ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot box. Existing law also makes it a crime to direct or solicit a voter to place a ballot in such a container. Existing law makes these crimes punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000, by imprisonment for 16 months or two or three years, or by both fine and imprisonment.This bill would also make it a crime to display an envelope for the purpose of collecting ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot box. The bill would make it a crime to direct or solicit a voter to place a ballot in such an envelope. By expanding the scope of these crimes, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.(5) 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 with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
28+(1) Existing law requires an elections official, upon completion of the count, to add the results of write-in votes and any paper ballots used as certified by the precinct board, and thereupon declare the vote. Existing law requires the elections official to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the governing body within 30 days of the election, as specified. Existing law requires the elections official to send to the Secretary of State within 31 days of the election in an electronic format a complete copy of specified election results, including the vote given for persons for electors of President and Vice President of the United States, all candidates voted for statewide office, and all statewide measures.This bill would specify that the duties described above imposed on election officials are ministerial and nondiscretionary.This bill would require elections officials who fail to prepare a certified statement of the result of the election, as described above, to immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election to the Secretary of State. The bill would require the Secretary of State to then make all necessary determinations and certify the results of the election as soon as practicable. The bill would specify that all costs associated with the Secretary of State completing the canvass and certification of the election must be borne by the county that failed to timely certify its election results. (2) Existing law requires a governing body to declare elected or nominated the person having the highest number of votes for each office voted on at an election under its jurisdiction and to declare the results of each measure voted on at an election under its jurisdiction.This bill would specify that these duties are ministerial and nondiscretionary.(3) Existing law requires the Secretary of State to prepare a state voter information guide that includes, among other things, a complete copy of each state measure, the Voter Bill of Rights, and information on candidates for the office of United States Senator and the offices of President and Vice President, as specified. Existing law requires county elections officials to prepare a county voter information guide that contains, among other things, voluntary statements by a candidate for nonpartisan elective office.This bill would require the Secretary of State and county elections officials to prepare voter information guides for county jail facilities in a format that will be accepted by jail facilities. The bill would require county jail officials to work in good faith with the Secretary of State and county election officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election. By requiring county elections officials to prepare voter information guides for each jail in their jurisdiction, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (4) Existing law makes it a crime to display a container for the purpose of collecting ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot box. Existing law also makes it a crime to direct or solicit a voter to place a ballot in such a container. Existing law makes these crimes publishable punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000, by imprisonment for 16 months or two or three years, or by both fine and imprisonment.This bill would also make it a crime to display an envelope for the purpose of collecting ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot box. The bill would make it a crime to direct or solicit a voter to place a ballot in such an envelope. By expanding the scope of these crimes, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.(5) 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 with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
3429
3530 (1) Existing law requires an elections official, upon completion of the count, to add the results of write-in votes and any paper ballots used as certified by the precinct board, and thereupon declare the vote. Existing law requires the elections official to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the governing body within 30 days of the election, as specified. Existing law requires the elections official to send to the Secretary of State within 31 days of the election in an electronic format a complete copy of specified election results, including the vote given for persons for electors of President and Vice President of the United States, all candidates voted for statewide office, and all statewide measures.
3631
37-This bill would specify that the duties described above imposed on election elections officials are ministerial and nondiscretionary.
32+This bill would specify that the duties described above imposed on election officials are ministerial and nondiscretionary.
3833
3934 This bill would require elections officials who fail to prepare a certified statement of the result of the election, as described above, to immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election to the Secretary of State. The bill would require the Secretary of State to then make all necessary determinations and certify the results of the election as soon as practicable. The bill would specify that all costs associated with the Secretary of State completing the canvass and certification of the election must be borne by the county that failed to timely certify its election results.
40-
41-Existing law, if the Secretary of State determines that state election laws are not being enforced, requires the Secretary of State to call the violation of those laws to the attention of the district attorney of the county or to the Attorney General.
42-
43-This bill, if an elections official fails to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election, would require the Secretary of State to call the violation to the attention of the district attorney of the county or to the Attorney General and authorize the Secretary of State to assist the county elections official in discharging their duties, consistent with those provisions.
4435
4536 (2) Existing law requires a governing body to declare elected or nominated the person having the highest number of votes for each office voted on at an election under its jurisdiction and to declare the results of each measure voted on at an election under its jurisdiction.
4637
4738 This bill would specify that these duties are ministerial and nondiscretionary.
4839
4940 (3) Existing law requires the Secretary of State to prepare a state voter information guide that includes, among other things, a complete copy of each state measure, the Voter Bill of Rights, and information on candidates for the office of United States Senator and the offices of President and Vice President, as specified. Existing law requires county elections officials to prepare a county voter information guide that contains, among other things, voluntary statements by a candidate for nonpartisan elective office.
5041
51-This bill would require the Secretary of State and county elections officials to prepare voter information guides for county jail facilities in a format that will be accepted by jail facilities. The bill would require county jail officials to work in good faith with the Secretary of State and county election elections officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election. By requiring county elections officials to prepare voter information guides for each jail in their jurisdiction, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
42+This bill would require the Secretary of State and county elections officials to prepare voter information guides for county jail facilities in a format that will be accepted by jail facilities. The bill would require county jail officials to work in good faith with the Secretary of State and county election officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election. By requiring county elections officials to prepare voter information guides for each jail in their jurisdiction, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
5243
53-(4) Existing law makes it a crime to display a container for the purpose of collecting ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot box. Existing law also makes it a crime to direct or solicit a voter to place a ballot in such a container. Existing law makes these crimes punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000, by imprisonment for 16 months or two or three years, or by both fine and imprisonment.
44+(4) Existing law makes it a crime to display a container for the purpose of collecting ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot box. Existing law also makes it a crime to direct or solicit a voter to place a ballot in such a container. Existing law makes these crimes publishable punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000, by imprisonment for 16 months or two or three years, or by both fine and imprisonment.
5445
5546 This bill would also make it a crime to display an envelope for the purpose of collecting ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot box. The bill would make it a crime to direct or solicit a voter to place a ballot in such an envelope. By expanding the scope of these crimes, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
5647
5748 (5) 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.
5849
5950 This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
6051
6152 With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
6253
6354 ## Digest Key
6455
6556 ## Bill Text
6657
67-The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 9094.6 is added to the Elections Code, to read:9094.6. (a) The Secretary of State shall prepare a state voter information guide for each county jail in the state in a format that will be accepted by county jail facilities and shall make that guide available to registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of state voter information guides the Secretary of State makes available to registered voters inside each facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each registered voter.(c) County jail officials shall work in good faith with the Secretary of State to ensure delivery of state voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.SEC. 2. Section 13318 is added to the Elections Code, to read:13318. (a) County elections officials shall prepare county voter information guides for each county jail within their jurisdiction in a format that will be accepted by the county jail facility and shall make that guide available to registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of county voter information guides the county elections officials make available to registered voters inside the facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each registered voter.(c) County jail officials shall work in good faith with county election officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.SEC. 3. Section 15371 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15371. (a) Upon completion of the count, the elections official shall add to the results as so determined, the results of the write-in votes and any paper ballots used as certified by the precinct board, and thereupon shall declare the vote, and forthwith post one copy at the counting place for public inspection.(b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.SEC. 4. Section 15372 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15372. (a) The elections official shall prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the governing body within 30 days of the election or, in the case of school district, community college district, county board of education, or special district elections conducted on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years, no later than the last Monday before the last Friday of that month.(b) The elections official shall post the certified statement of the results of the election on the elections officials internet website in a downloadable spreadsheet format that may include, but is not limited to, a comma-separated values file or a tab-separated values file and that is compatible with a spreadsheet software application that is widely used at the time of the posting. The certified statement of the election results shall be posted and maintained on the elections officials internet website for at least 10 years following the election. This subdivision shall apply only to an elections official who uses a computer system that has the capability of producing the election results in a downloadable spreadsheet format without requiring modification of the computer system.(c) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.(d) (1)If the election elections official fails to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election as specified in subdivision (a), the election official shall immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election, including all ballots and paper cast vote records, to the Secretary of State. the Secretary of State shall call the violation to the attention of the district attorney of the county or to the Attorney General and may assist the county elections official in discharging the officers duties, consistent with subdivision (b) of Section 12172.5 of the Government Code.(2)After receipt of the records and information described in paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall make all necessary determinations and certify the results of the election as soon as practicable.(3)The governing body and all other county staff necessary to complete the canvass and certification of the election shall be present and available at all times during the completion of the canvass and certification by the Secretary of State.(4)All costs associated with the completion of the canvass and certification of the election by the Secretary of State shall be borne by the county that fails to timely certify its election results.SEC. 5. Section 15375 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15375. (a) The elections official shall send to the Secretary of State within 31 days of the election in an electronic format in the manner requested one complete copy of all results as to each of the following:(1) All candidates voted for statewide office.(2) All candidates voted for the following offices:(A) Member of the State Assembly.(B) Member of the State Senate.(C) Member of the United States House of Representatives.(D) Member of the State Board of Equalization.(E) Justice of the Court of Appeal.(F) Judge of the superior court.(3) All persons voted for at the presidential primary. The results for all persons voted for at the presidential primary for delegates to national conventions shall be canvassed and shall be sent within 28 days after the election.(4) The vote given for persons for electors of President and Vice President of the United States. The results for presidential electors shall be endorsed Presidential Election Returns and shall be canvassed and sent within 28 days after the election.(5) All statewide measures.(6) The total number of ballots cast.(b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.SEC. 6. Section 15400 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15400. (a) It is the ministerial and nondiscretionary duty of the governing body to declare elected or nominated to each office voted on at each election under its jurisdiction the person having the highest number of votes for that office, or who was elected or nominated under the exceptions noted in Section 15452.(b) It is the ministerial and nondiscretionary duty of the governing board to declare the results of each election under its jurisdiction as to each measure voted on at the election.SEC. 7. Section 18568 of the Elections Code is amended to read:18568. Every person is punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three years, or by both that fine and imprisonment, who:(a) Aids in changing or destroying any poll list or official ballot.(b) Aids in wrongfully placing any ballots in the ballot container or in taking any therefrom.(c) Adds or attempts to add any ballots to those legally polled at any election by fraudulently putting them into the ballot container, either before or after the ballots therein have been counted.(d) Adds to or mixes with, or attempts to add to or mix with, the ballots polled, any other ballots, while they are being counted or canvassed or at any other time, with intent to change the result of the election, or allows another to do so, when in the persons power to prevent it.(e) Carries away or destroys, attempts to carry away or destroy, or knowingly allows another to carry away or destroy, any poll list, ballot container, or ballots lawfully polled or who willfully detains, mutilates, or destroys any election returns.(f) Removes any unvoted ballots from the polling place before the completion of the ballot count.(g) Displays a container or provides an envelope for the purpose of collecting or returning ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot or returning a ballot in an unofficial ballot return envelope. Evidence of intent to deceive may include using the word official on the container or envelope, or otherwise fashioning the container or envelope in a way that is likely to deceive a voter into believing that the container or envelope is an official collection box or official ballot return envelope that has been approved by an elections official.(h) Directs or solicits a voter to place a ballot in a container or envelope prohibited by subdivision (g).SEC. 8. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution for certain costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district because, in that regard, this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.However, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains other 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.
58+The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 9094.6 is added to the Elections Code, to read:9094.6. (a) The Secretary of State shall prepare a state voter information guide for each county jail in the state in a format that will be accepted by county jail facilities and shall make that guide available to eligible voters inside each registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of state voter information guides the Secretary of State makes available to eligible registered voters inside each facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all eligible registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each eligible voter registered voter.(c) Jail County jail officials shall work in good faith with the Secretary of State to ensure delivery of state voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.SEC. 2. Section 13318 is added to the Elections Code, to read:13318. (a) County elections officials shall prepare county voter information guides for each county jail within their jurisdiction in a format that will be accepted by the county jail facility and shall make that guide available to eligible voters inside the registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of county voter information guides the county elections officials make available to eligible registered voters inside the facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all eligible registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each eligible voter registered voter.(c) Jail County jail officials shall work in good faith with county election officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.SEC. 3. Section 15371 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15371. (a) Upon completion of the count, the elections official shall add to the results as so determined, the results of the write-in votes and any paper ballots used as certified by the precinct board, and thereupon shall declare the vote, and forthwith post one copy at the counting place for public inspection.(b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.SEC. 4. Section 15372 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15372. (a) The elections official shall prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the governing body within 30 days of the election or, in the case of school district, community college district, county board of education, or special district elections conducted on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years, no later than the last Monday before the last Friday of that month.(b) The elections official shall post the certified statement of the results of the election on the elections officials internet website in a downloadable spreadsheet format that may include, but is not limited to, a comma-separated values file or a tab-separated values file and that is compatible with a spreadsheet software application that is widely used at the time of the posting. The certified statement of the election results shall be posted and maintained on the elections officials internet website for at least 10 years following the election. This subdivision shall apply only to an elections official who uses a computer system that has the capability of producing the election results in a downloadable spreadsheet format without requiring modification of the computer system.(c) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.(d) (1) If the election official fails to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election as specified in subdivision (a), the election official shall immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election, including all ballots and paper cast vote records, to the Secretary of State.(2) After receipt of the records and information described in paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall make all necessary determinations and certify the results of the election as soon as practicable.(3) The governing body and all other county staff necessary to complete the canvass and certification of the election shall be present and available at all times during the completion of the canvass and certification by the Secretary of State.(4) All costs associated with the completion of the canvass and certification of the election by the Secretary of State shall be borne by the county that fails to timely certify its election results.SEC. 5. Section 15375 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15375. (a) The elections official shall send to the Secretary of State within 31 days of the election in an electronic format in the manner requested one complete copy of all results as to each of the following:(1) All candidates voted for statewide office.(2) All candidates voted for the following offices:(A) Member of the Assembly.(B) Member of the Senate.(C) Member of the United States House of Representatives.(D) Member of the State Board of Equalization.(E) Justice of the Court of Appeal.(F) Judge of the superior court.(3) All persons voted for at the presidential primary. The results for all persons voted for at the presidential primary for delegates to national conventions shall be canvassed and shall be sent within 28 days after the election.(4) The vote given for persons for electors of President and Vice President of the United States. The results for presidential electors shall be endorsed Presidential Election Returns and shall be canvassed and sent within 28 days after the election.(5) All statewide measures.(6) The total number of ballots cast.(b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.SEC. 6. Section 15400 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15400. (a) It is the ministerial and nondiscretionary duty of the governing body to declare elected or nominated to each office voted on at each election under its jurisdiction the person having the highest number of votes for that office, or who was elected or nominated under the exceptions noted in Section 15452.(b) It is the ministerial and nondiscretionary duty of the governing board to declare the results of each election under its jurisdiction as to each measure voted on at the election.SEC. 7. Section 18568 of the Elections Code is amended to read:18568. Every person is punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three years, or by both that fine and imprisonment, who:(a) Aids in changing or destroying any poll list or official ballot.(b) Aids in wrongfully placing any ballots in the ballot container or in taking any therefrom.(c) Adds or attempts to add any ballots to those legally polled at any election by fraudulently putting them into the ballot container, either before or after the ballots therein have been counted.(d) Adds to or mixes with, or attempts to add to or mix with, the ballots polled, any other ballots, while they are being counted or canvassed or at any other time, with intent to change the result of the election, or allows another to do so, when in the persons power to prevent it.(e) Carries away or destroys, attempts to carry away or destroy, or knowingly allows another to carry away or destroy, any poll list, ballot container, or ballots lawfully polled or who willfully detains, mutilates, or destroys any election returns.(f) Removes any unvoted ballots from the polling place before the completion of the ballot count.(g) Displays a container or provides an envelope for the purpose of collecting or returning ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot or returning a ballot in an unofficial ballot return envelope. Evidence of intent to deceive may include using the word official on the container or envelope, or otherwise fashioning the container or envelope in a way that is likely to deceive a voter into believing that the container or envelope is an official collection box or official ballot return envelope that has been approved by an elections official.(h) Directs or solicits a voter to place a ballot in a container or envelope prohibited by subdivision (g).SEC. 8. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution for certain costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district because, in that regard, this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.However, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains other 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.
6859
6960 The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
7061
7162 ## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
7263
73-SECTION 1. Section 9094.6 is added to the Elections Code, to read:9094.6. (a) The Secretary of State shall prepare a state voter information guide for each county jail in the state in a format that will be accepted by county jail facilities and shall make that guide available to registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of state voter information guides the Secretary of State makes available to registered voters inside each facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each registered voter.(c) County jail officials shall work in good faith with the Secretary of State to ensure delivery of state voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.
64+SECTION 1. Section 9094.6 is added to the Elections Code, to read:9094.6. (a) The Secretary of State shall prepare a state voter information guide for each county jail in the state in a format that will be accepted by county jail facilities and shall make that guide available to eligible voters inside each registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of state voter information guides the Secretary of State makes available to eligible registered voters inside each facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all eligible registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each eligible voter registered voter.(c) Jail County jail officials shall work in good faith with the Secretary of State to ensure delivery of state voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.
7465
7566 SECTION 1. Section 9094.6 is added to the Elections Code, to read:
7667
7768 ### SECTION 1.
7869
79-9094.6. (a) The Secretary of State shall prepare a state voter information guide for each county jail in the state in a format that will be accepted by county jail facilities and shall make that guide available to registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of state voter information guides the Secretary of State makes available to registered voters inside each facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each registered voter.(c) County jail officials shall work in good faith with the Secretary of State to ensure delivery of state voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.
70+9094.6. (a) The Secretary of State shall prepare a state voter information guide for each county jail in the state in a format that will be accepted by county jail facilities and shall make that guide available to eligible voters inside each registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of state voter information guides the Secretary of State makes available to eligible registered voters inside each facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all eligible registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each eligible voter registered voter.(c) Jail County jail officials shall work in good faith with the Secretary of State to ensure delivery of state voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.
8071
81-9094.6. (a) The Secretary of State shall prepare a state voter information guide for each county jail in the state in a format that will be accepted by county jail facilities and shall make that guide available to registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of state voter information guides the Secretary of State makes available to registered voters inside each facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each registered voter.(c) County jail officials shall work in good faith with the Secretary of State to ensure delivery of state voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.
72+9094.6. (a) The Secretary of State shall prepare a state voter information guide for each county jail in the state in a format that will be accepted by county jail facilities and shall make that guide available to eligible voters inside each registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of state voter information guides the Secretary of State makes available to eligible registered voters inside each facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all eligible registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each eligible voter registered voter.(c) Jail County jail officials shall work in good faith with the Secretary of State to ensure delivery of state voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.
8273
83-9094.6. (a) The Secretary of State shall prepare a state voter information guide for each county jail in the state in a format that will be accepted by county jail facilities and shall make that guide available to registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of state voter information guides the Secretary of State makes available to registered voters inside each facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each registered voter.(c) County jail officials shall work in good faith with the Secretary of State to ensure delivery of state voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.
74+9094.6. (a) The Secretary of State shall prepare a state voter information guide for each county jail in the state in a format that will be accepted by county jail facilities and shall make that guide available to eligible voters inside each registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of state voter information guides the Secretary of State makes available to eligible registered voters inside each facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all eligible registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each eligible voter registered voter.(c) Jail County jail officials shall work in good faith with the Secretary of State to ensure delivery of state voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.
8475
85-9094.6. (a) The Secretary of State shall prepare a state voter information guide for each county jail in the state in a format that will be accepted by county jail facilities and shall make that guide available to registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.
8676
87-###### 9094.6.
8877
89-(b) The number of state voter information guides the Secretary of State makes available to registered voters inside each facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:
78+9094.6. (a) The Secretary of State shall prepare a state voter information guide for each county jail in the state in a format that will be accepted by county jail facilities and shall make that guide available to eligible voters inside each registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.
9079
91-(1) At least 30 percent of the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all registered voters.
80+(b) The number of state voter information guides the Secretary of State makes available to eligible registered voters inside each facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:
9281
93-(2) Equal to the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each registered voter.
82+(1) At least 30 percent of the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all eligible registered voters.
9483
95-(c) County jail officials shall work in good faith with the Secretary of State to ensure delivery of state voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.
84+(2) Equal to the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each eligible voter registered voter.
9685
97-SEC. 2. Section 13318 is added to the Elections Code, to read:13318. (a) County elections officials shall prepare county voter information guides for each county jail within their jurisdiction in a format that will be accepted by the county jail facility and shall make that guide available to registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of county voter information guides the county elections officials make available to registered voters inside the facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each registered voter.(c) County jail officials shall work in good faith with county election officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.
86+(c) Jail County jail officials shall work in good faith with the Secretary of State to ensure delivery of state voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.
87+
88+SEC. 2. Section 13318 is added to the Elections Code, to read:13318. (a) County elections officials shall prepare county voter information guides for each county jail within their jurisdiction in a format that will be accepted by the county jail facility and shall make that guide available to eligible voters inside the registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of county voter information guides the county elections officials make available to eligible registered voters inside the facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all eligible registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each eligible voter registered voter.(c) Jail County jail officials shall work in good faith with county election officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.
9889
9990 SEC. 2. Section 13318 is added to the Elections Code, to read:
10091
10192 ### SEC. 2.
10293
103-13318. (a) County elections officials shall prepare county voter information guides for each county jail within their jurisdiction in a format that will be accepted by the county jail facility and shall make that guide available to registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of county voter information guides the county elections officials make available to registered voters inside the facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each registered voter.(c) County jail officials shall work in good faith with county election officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.
94+13318. (a) County elections officials shall prepare county voter information guides for each county jail within their jurisdiction in a format that will be accepted by the county jail facility and shall make that guide available to eligible voters inside the registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of county voter information guides the county elections officials make available to eligible registered voters inside the facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all eligible registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each eligible voter registered voter.(c) Jail County jail officials shall work in good faith with county election officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.
10495
105-13318. (a) County elections officials shall prepare county voter information guides for each county jail within their jurisdiction in a format that will be accepted by the county jail facility and shall make that guide available to registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of county voter information guides the county elections officials make available to registered voters inside the facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each registered voter.(c) County jail officials shall work in good faith with county election officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.
96+13318. (a) County elections officials shall prepare county voter information guides for each county jail within their jurisdiction in a format that will be accepted by the county jail facility and shall make that guide available to eligible voters inside the registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of county voter information guides the county elections officials make available to eligible registered voters inside the facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all eligible registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each eligible voter registered voter.(c) Jail County jail officials shall work in good faith with county election officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.
10697
107-13318. (a) County elections officials shall prepare county voter information guides for each county jail within their jurisdiction in a format that will be accepted by the county jail facility and shall make that guide available to registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of county voter information guides the county elections officials make available to registered voters inside the facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each registered voter.(c) County jail officials shall work in good faith with county election officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.
98+13318. (a) County elections officials shall prepare county voter information guides for each county jail within their jurisdiction in a format that will be accepted by the county jail facility and shall make that guide available to eligible voters inside the registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.(b) The number of county voter information guides the county elections officials make available to eligible registered voters inside the facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:(1) At least 30 percent of the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all eligible registered voters.(2) Equal to the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each eligible voter registered voter.(c) Jail County jail officials shall work in good faith with county election officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.
10899
109-13318. (a) County elections officials shall prepare county voter information guides for each county jail within their jurisdiction in a format that will be accepted by the county jail facility and shall make that guide available to registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.
110100
111-###### 13318.
112101
113-(b) The number of county voter information guides the county elections officials make available to registered voters inside the facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:
102+13318. (a) County elections officials shall prepare county voter information guides for each county jail within their jurisdiction in a format that will be accepted by the county jail facility and shall make that guide available to eligible voters inside the registered voters with a mailing address in a county jail facility.
114103
115-(1) At least 30 percent of the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all registered voters.
104+(b) The number of county voter information guides the county elections officials make available to eligible registered voters inside the facility shall be equal to either of the following, as applicable:
116105
117-(2) Equal to the number of registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each registered voter.
106+(1) At least 30 percent of the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be in a location accessible by all eligible registered voters.
118107
119-(c) County jail officials shall work in good faith with county election officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.
108+(2) Equal to the number of eligible registered voters inside the facility, if the guides will be delivered individually to each eligible voter registered voter.
109+
110+(c) Jail County jail officials shall work in good faith with county election officials to ensure delivery of state and county voter information guides to their facilities for each primary and general election.
120111
121112 SEC. 3. Section 15371 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15371. (a) Upon completion of the count, the elections official shall add to the results as so determined, the results of the write-in votes and any paper ballots used as certified by the precinct board, and thereupon shall declare the vote, and forthwith post one copy at the counting place for public inspection.(b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.
122113
123114 SEC. 3. Section 15371 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
124115
125116 ### SEC. 3.
126117
127118 15371. (a) Upon completion of the count, the elections official shall add to the results as so determined, the results of the write-in votes and any paper ballots used as certified by the precinct board, and thereupon shall declare the vote, and forthwith post one copy at the counting place for public inspection.(b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.
128119
129120 15371. (a) Upon completion of the count, the elections official shall add to the results as so determined, the results of the write-in votes and any paper ballots used as certified by the precinct board, and thereupon shall declare the vote, and forthwith post one copy at the counting place for public inspection.(b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.
130121
131122 15371. (a) Upon completion of the count, the elections official shall add to the results as so determined, the results of the write-in votes and any paper ballots used as certified by the precinct board, and thereupon shall declare the vote, and forthwith post one copy at the counting place for public inspection.(b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.
132123
124+
125+
133126 15371. (a) Upon completion of the count, the elections official shall add to the results as so determined, the results of the write-in votes and any paper ballots used as certified by the precinct board, and thereupon shall declare the vote, and forthwith post one copy at the counting place for public inspection.
134-
135-###### 15371.
136127
137128 (b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.
138129
139-SEC. 4. Section 15372 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15372. (a) The elections official shall prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the governing body within 30 days of the election or, in the case of school district, community college district, county board of education, or special district elections conducted on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years, no later than the last Monday before the last Friday of that month.(b) The elections official shall post the certified statement of the results of the election on the elections officials internet website in a downloadable spreadsheet format that may include, but is not limited to, a comma-separated values file or a tab-separated values file and that is compatible with a spreadsheet software application that is widely used at the time of the posting. The certified statement of the election results shall be posted and maintained on the elections officials internet website for at least 10 years following the election. This subdivision shall apply only to an elections official who uses a computer system that has the capability of producing the election results in a downloadable spreadsheet format without requiring modification of the computer system.(c) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.(d) (1)If the election elections official fails to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election as specified in subdivision (a), the election official shall immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election, including all ballots and paper cast vote records, to the Secretary of State. the Secretary of State shall call the violation to the attention of the district attorney of the county or to the Attorney General and may assist the county elections official in discharging the officers duties, consistent with subdivision (b) of Section 12172.5 of the Government Code.(2)After receipt of the records and information described in paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall make all necessary determinations and certify the results of the election as soon as practicable.(3)The governing body and all other county staff necessary to complete the canvass and certification of the election shall be present and available at all times during the completion of the canvass and certification by the Secretary of State.(4)All costs associated with the completion of the canvass and certification of the election by the Secretary of State shall be borne by the county that fails to timely certify its election results.
130+SEC. 4. Section 15372 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15372. (a) The elections official shall prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the governing body within 30 days of the election or, in the case of school district, community college district, county board of education, or special district elections conducted on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years, no later than the last Monday before the last Friday of that month.(b) The elections official shall post the certified statement of the results of the election on the elections officials internet website in a downloadable spreadsheet format that may include, but is not limited to, a comma-separated values file or a tab-separated values file and that is compatible with a spreadsheet software application that is widely used at the time of the posting. The certified statement of the election results shall be posted and maintained on the elections officials internet website for at least 10 years following the election. This subdivision shall apply only to an elections official who uses a computer system that has the capability of producing the election results in a downloadable spreadsheet format without requiring modification of the computer system.(c) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.(d) (1) If the election official fails to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election as specified in subdivision (a), the election official shall immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election, including all ballots and paper cast vote records, to the Secretary of State.(2) After receipt of the records and information described in paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall make all necessary determinations and certify the results of the election as soon as practicable.(3) The governing body and all other county staff necessary to complete the canvass and certification of the election shall be present and available at all times during the completion of the canvass and certification by the Secretary of State.(4) All costs associated with the completion of the canvass and certification of the election by the Secretary of State shall be borne by the county that fails to timely certify its election results.
140131
141132 SEC. 4. Section 15372 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
142133
143134 ### SEC. 4.
144135
145-15372. (a) The elections official shall prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the governing body within 30 days of the election or, in the case of school district, community college district, county board of education, or special district elections conducted on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years, no later than the last Monday before the last Friday of that month.(b) The elections official shall post the certified statement of the results of the election on the elections officials internet website in a downloadable spreadsheet format that may include, but is not limited to, a comma-separated values file or a tab-separated values file and that is compatible with a spreadsheet software application that is widely used at the time of the posting. The certified statement of the election results shall be posted and maintained on the elections officials internet website for at least 10 years following the election. This subdivision shall apply only to an elections official who uses a computer system that has the capability of producing the election results in a downloadable spreadsheet format without requiring modification of the computer system.(c) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.(d) (1)If the election elections official fails to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election as specified in subdivision (a), the election official shall immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election, including all ballots and paper cast vote records, to the Secretary of State. the Secretary of State shall call the violation to the attention of the district attorney of the county or to the Attorney General and may assist the county elections official in discharging the officers duties, consistent with subdivision (b) of Section 12172.5 of the Government Code.(2)After receipt of the records and information described in paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall make all necessary determinations and certify the results of the election as soon as practicable.(3)The governing body and all other county staff necessary to complete the canvass and certification of the election shall be present and available at all times during the completion of the canvass and certification by the Secretary of State.(4)All costs associated with the completion of the canvass and certification of the election by the Secretary of State shall be borne by the county that fails to timely certify its election results.
136+15372. (a) The elections official shall prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the governing body within 30 days of the election or, in the case of school district, community college district, county board of education, or special district elections conducted on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years, no later than the last Monday before the last Friday of that month.(b) The elections official shall post the certified statement of the results of the election on the elections officials internet website in a downloadable spreadsheet format that may include, but is not limited to, a comma-separated values file or a tab-separated values file and that is compatible with a spreadsheet software application that is widely used at the time of the posting. The certified statement of the election results shall be posted and maintained on the elections officials internet website for at least 10 years following the election. This subdivision shall apply only to an elections official who uses a computer system that has the capability of producing the election results in a downloadable spreadsheet format without requiring modification of the computer system.(c) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.(d) (1) If the election official fails to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election as specified in subdivision (a), the election official shall immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election, including all ballots and paper cast vote records, to the Secretary of State.(2) After receipt of the records and information described in paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall make all necessary determinations and certify the results of the election as soon as practicable.(3) The governing body and all other county staff necessary to complete the canvass and certification of the election shall be present and available at all times during the completion of the canvass and certification by the Secretary of State.(4) All costs associated with the completion of the canvass and certification of the election by the Secretary of State shall be borne by the county that fails to timely certify its election results.
146137
147-15372. (a) The elections official shall prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the governing body within 30 days of the election or, in the case of school district, community college district, county board of education, or special district elections conducted on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years, no later than the last Monday before the last Friday of that month.(b) The elections official shall post the certified statement of the results of the election on the elections officials internet website in a downloadable spreadsheet format that may include, but is not limited to, a comma-separated values file or a tab-separated values file and that is compatible with a spreadsheet software application that is widely used at the time of the posting. The certified statement of the election results shall be posted and maintained on the elections officials internet website for at least 10 years following the election. This subdivision shall apply only to an elections official who uses a computer system that has the capability of producing the election results in a downloadable spreadsheet format without requiring modification of the computer system.(c) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.(d) (1)If the election elections official fails to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election as specified in subdivision (a), the election official shall immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election, including all ballots and paper cast vote records, to the Secretary of State. the Secretary of State shall call the violation to the attention of the district attorney of the county or to the Attorney General and may assist the county elections official in discharging the officers duties, consistent with subdivision (b) of Section 12172.5 of the Government Code.(2)After receipt of the records and information described in paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall make all necessary determinations and certify the results of the election as soon as practicable.(3)The governing body and all other county staff necessary to complete the canvass and certification of the election shall be present and available at all times during the completion of the canvass and certification by the Secretary of State.(4)All costs associated with the completion of the canvass and certification of the election by the Secretary of State shall be borne by the county that fails to timely certify its election results.
138+15372. (a) The elections official shall prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the governing body within 30 days of the election or, in the case of school district, community college district, county board of education, or special district elections conducted on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years, no later than the last Monday before the last Friday of that month.(b) The elections official shall post the certified statement of the results of the election on the elections officials internet website in a downloadable spreadsheet format that may include, but is not limited to, a comma-separated values file or a tab-separated values file and that is compatible with a spreadsheet software application that is widely used at the time of the posting. The certified statement of the election results shall be posted and maintained on the elections officials internet website for at least 10 years following the election. This subdivision shall apply only to an elections official who uses a computer system that has the capability of producing the election results in a downloadable spreadsheet format without requiring modification of the computer system.(c) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.(d) (1) If the election official fails to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election as specified in subdivision (a), the election official shall immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election, including all ballots and paper cast vote records, to the Secretary of State.(2) After receipt of the records and information described in paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall make all necessary determinations and certify the results of the election as soon as practicable.(3) The governing body and all other county staff necessary to complete the canvass and certification of the election shall be present and available at all times during the completion of the canvass and certification by the Secretary of State.(4) All costs associated with the completion of the canvass and certification of the election by the Secretary of State shall be borne by the county that fails to timely certify its election results.
148139
149-15372. (a) The elections official shall prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the governing body within 30 days of the election or, in the case of school district, community college district, county board of education, or special district elections conducted on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years, no later than the last Monday before the last Friday of that month.(b) The elections official shall post the certified statement of the results of the election on the elections officials internet website in a downloadable spreadsheet format that may include, but is not limited to, a comma-separated values file or a tab-separated values file and that is compatible with a spreadsheet software application that is widely used at the time of the posting. The certified statement of the election results shall be posted and maintained on the elections officials internet website for at least 10 years following the election. This subdivision shall apply only to an elections official who uses a computer system that has the capability of producing the election results in a downloadable spreadsheet format without requiring modification of the computer system.(c) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.(d) (1)If the election elections official fails to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election as specified in subdivision (a), the election official shall immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election, including all ballots and paper cast vote records, to the Secretary of State. the Secretary of State shall call the violation to the attention of the district attorney of the county or to the Attorney General and may assist the county elections official in discharging the officers duties, consistent with subdivision (b) of Section 12172.5 of the Government Code.(2)After receipt of the records and information described in paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall make all necessary determinations and certify the results of the election as soon as practicable.(3)The governing body and all other county staff necessary to complete the canvass and certification of the election shall be present and available at all times during the completion of the canvass and certification by the Secretary of State.(4)All costs associated with the completion of the canvass and certification of the election by the Secretary of State shall be borne by the county that fails to timely certify its election results.
140+15372. (a) The elections official shall prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the governing body within 30 days of the election or, in the case of school district, community college district, county board of education, or special district elections conducted on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years, no later than the last Monday before the last Friday of that month.(b) The elections official shall post the certified statement of the results of the election on the elections officials internet website in a downloadable spreadsheet format that may include, but is not limited to, a comma-separated values file or a tab-separated values file and that is compatible with a spreadsheet software application that is widely used at the time of the posting. The certified statement of the election results shall be posted and maintained on the elections officials internet website for at least 10 years following the election. This subdivision shall apply only to an elections official who uses a computer system that has the capability of producing the election results in a downloadable spreadsheet format without requiring modification of the computer system.(c) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.(d) (1) If the election official fails to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election as specified in subdivision (a), the election official shall immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election, including all ballots and paper cast vote records, to the Secretary of State.(2) After receipt of the records and information described in paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall make all necessary determinations and certify the results of the election as soon as practicable.(3) The governing body and all other county staff necessary to complete the canvass and certification of the election shall be present and available at all times during the completion of the canvass and certification by the Secretary of State.(4) All costs associated with the completion of the canvass and certification of the election by the Secretary of State shall be borne by the county that fails to timely certify its election results.
141+
142+
150143
151144 15372. (a) The elections official shall prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the governing body within 30 days of the election or, in the case of school district, community college district, county board of education, or special district elections conducted on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years, no later than the last Monday before the last Friday of that month.
152-
153-###### 15372.
154145
155146 (b) The elections official shall post the certified statement of the results of the election on the elections officials internet website in a downloadable spreadsheet format that may include, but is not limited to, a comma-separated values file or a tab-separated values file and that is compatible with a spreadsheet software application that is widely used at the time of the posting. The certified statement of the election results shall be posted and maintained on the elections officials internet website for at least 10 years following the election. This subdivision shall apply only to an elections official who uses a computer system that has the capability of producing the election results in a downloadable spreadsheet format without requiring modification of the computer system.
156147
157148 (c) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.
158149
159-(d) (1)If the election elections official fails to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election as specified in subdivision (a), the election official shall immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election, including all ballots and paper cast vote records, to the Secretary of State. the Secretary of State shall call the violation to the attention of the district attorney of the county or to the Attorney General and may assist the county elections official in discharging the officers duties, consistent with subdivision (b) of Section 12172.5 of the Government Code.
150+(d) (1) If the election official fails to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election as specified in subdivision (a), the election official shall immediately deliver all records and other information pertaining to the election, including all ballots and paper cast vote records, to the Secretary of State.
160151
161152 (2) After receipt of the records and information described in paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall make all necessary determinations and certify the results of the election as soon as practicable.
162153
163154 (3) The governing body and all other county staff necessary to complete the canvass and certification of the election shall be present and available at all times during the completion of the canvass and certification by the Secretary of State.
164155
165156 (4) All costs associated with the completion of the canvass and certification of the election by the Secretary of State shall be borne by the county that fails to timely certify its election results.
166157
167-SEC. 5. Section 15375 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15375. (a) The elections official shall send to the Secretary of State within 31 days of the election in an electronic format in the manner requested one complete copy of all results as to each of the following:(1) All candidates voted for statewide office.(2) All candidates voted for the following offices:(A) Member of the State Assembly.(B) Member of the State Senate.(C) Member of the United States House of Representatives.(D) Member of the State Board of Equalization.(E) Justice of the Court of Appeal.(F) Judge of the superior court.(3) All persons voted for at the presidential primary. The results for all persons voted for at the presidential primary for delegates to national conventions shall be canvassed and shall be sent within 28 days after the election.(4) The vote given for persons for electors of President and Vice President of the United States. The results for presidential electors shall be endorsed Presidential Election Returns and shall be canvassed and sent within 28 days after the election.(5) All statewide measures.(6) The total number of ballots cast.(b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.
158+SEC. 5. Section 15375 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15375. (a) The elections official shall send to the Secretary of State within 31 days of the election in an electronic format in the manner requested one complete copy of all results as to each of the following:(1) All candidates voted for statewide office.(2) All candidates voted for the following offices:(A) Member of the Assembly.(B) Member of the Senate.(C) Member of the United States House of Representatives.(D) Member of the State Board of Equalization.(E) Justice of the Court of Appeal.(F) Judge of the superior court.(3) All persons voted for at the presidential primary. The results for all persons voted for at the presidential primary for delegates to national conventions shall be canvassed and shall be sent within 28 days after the election.(4) The vote given for persons for electors of President and Vice President of the United States. The results for presidential electors shall be endorsed Presidential Election Returns and shall be canvassed and sent within 28 days after the election.(5) All statewide measures.(6) The total number of ballots cast.(b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.
168159
169160 SEC. 5. Section 15375 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
170161
171162 ### SEC. 5.
172163
173-15375. (a) The elections official shall send to the Secretary of State within 31 days of the election in an electronic format in the manner requested one complete copy of all results as to each of the following:(1) All candidates voted for statewide office.(2) All candidates voted for the following offices:(A) Member of the State Assembly.(B) Member of the State Senate.(C) Member of the United States House of Representatives.(D) Member of the State Board of Equalization.(E) Justice of the Court of Appeal.(F) Judge of the superior court.(3) All persons voted for at the presidential primary. The results for all persons voted for at the presidential primary for delegates to national conventions shall be canvassed and shall be sent within 28 days after the election.(4) The vote given for persons for electors of President and Vice President of the United States. The results for presidential electors shall be endorsed Presidential Election Returns and shall be canvassed and sent within 28 days after the election.(5) All statewide measures.(6) The total number of ballots cast.(b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.
164+15375. (a) The elections official shall send to the Secretary of State within 31 days of the election in an electronic format in the manner requested one complete copy of all results as to each of the following:(1) All candidates voted for statewide office.(2) All candidates voted for the following offices:(A) Member of the Assembly.(B) Member of the Senate.(C) Member of the United States House of Representatives.(D) Member of the State Board of Equalization.(E) Justice of the Court of Appeal.(F) Judge of the superior court.(3) All persons voted for at the presidential primary. The results for all persons voted for at the presidential primary for delegates to national conventions shall be canvassed and shall be sent within 28 days after the election.(4) The vote given for persons for electors of President and Vice President of the United States. The results for presidential electors shall be endorsed Presidential Election Returns and shall be canvassed and sent within 28 days after the election.(5) All statewide measures.(6) The total number of ballots cast.(b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.
174165
175-15375. (a) The elections official shall send to the Secretary of State within 31 days of the election in an electronic format in the manner requested one complete copy of all results as to each of the following:(1) All candidates voted for statewide office.(2) All candidates voted for the following offices:(A) Member of the State Assembly.(B) Member of the State Senate.(C) Member of the United States House of Representatives.(D) Member of the State Board of Equalization.(E) Justice of the Court of Appeal.(F) Judge of the superior court.(3) All persons voted for at the presidential primary. The results for all persons voted for at the presidential primary for delegates to national conventions shall be canvassed and shall be sent within 28 days after the election.(4) The vote given for persons for electors of President and Vice President of the United States. The results for presidential electors shall be endorsed Presidential Election Returns and shall be canvassed and sent within 28 days after the election.(5) All statewide measures.(6) The total number of ballots cast.(b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.
166+15375. (a) The elections official shall send to the Secretary of State within 31 days of the election in an electronic format in the manner requested one complete copy of all results as to each of the following:(1) All candidates voted for statewide office.(2) All candidates voted for the following offices:(A) Member of the Assembly.(B) Member of the Senate.(C) Member of the United States House of Representatives.(D) Member of the State Board of Equalization.(E) Justice of the Court of Appeal.(F) Judge of the superior court.(3) All persons voted for at the presidential primary. The results for all persons voted for at the presidential primary for delegates to national conventions shall be canvassed and shall be sent within 28 days after the election.(4) The vote given for persons for electors of President and Vice President of the United States. The results for presidential electors shall be endorsed Presidential Election Returns and shall be canvassed and sent within 28 days after the election.(5) All statewide measures.(6) The total number of ballots cast.(b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.
176167
177-15375. (a) The elections official shall send to the Secretary of State within 31 days of the election in an electronic format in the manner requested one complete copy of all results as to each of the following:(1) All candidates voted for statewide office.(2) All candidates voted for the following offices:(A) Member of the State Assembly.(B) Member of the State Senate.(C) Member of the United States House of Representatives.(D) Member of the State Board of Equalization.(E) Justice of the Court of Appeal.(F) Judge of the superior court.(3) All persons voted for at the presidential primary. The results for all persons voted for at the presidential primary for delegates to national conventions shall be canvassed and shall be sent within 28 days after the election.(4) The vote given for persons for electors of President and Vice President of the United States. The results for presidential electors shall be endorsed Presidential Election Returns and shall be canvassed and sent within 28 days after the election.(5) All statewide measures.(6) The total number of ballots cast.(b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.
168+15375. (a) The elections official shall send to the Secretary of State within 31 days of the election in an electronic format in the manner requested one complete copy of all results as to each of the following:(1) All candidates voted for statewide office.(2) All candidates voted for the following offices:(A) Member of the Assembly.(B) Member of the Senate.(C) Member of the United States House of Representatives.(D) Member of the State Board of Equalization.(E) Justice of the Court of Appeal.(F) Judge of the superior court.(3) All persons voted for at the presidential primary. The results for all persons voted for at the presidential primary for delegates to national conventions shall be canvassed and shall be sent within 28 days after the election.(4) The vote given for persons for electors of President and Vice President of the United States. The results for presidential electors shall be endorsed Presidential Election Returns and shall be canvassed and sent within 28 days after the election.(5) All statewide measures.(6) The total number of ballots cast.(b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.
169+
170+
178171
179172 15375. (a) The elections official shall send to the Secretary of State within 31 days of the election in an electronic format in the manner requested one complete copy of all results as to each of the following:
180-
181-###### 15375.
182173
183174 (1) All candidates voted for statewide office.
184175
185176 (2) All candidates voted for the following offices:
186177
187-(A) Member of the State Assembly.
178+(A) Member of the Assembly.
188179
189-(B) Member of the State Senate.
180+(B) Member of the Senate.
190181
191182 (C) Member of the United States House of Representatives.
192183
193184 (D) Member of the State Board of Equalization.
194185
195186 (E) Justice of the Court of Appeal.
196187
197188 (F) Judge of the superior court.
198189
199190 (3) All persons voted for at the presidential primary. The results for all persons voted for at the presidential primary for delegates to national conventions shall be canvassed and shall be sent within 28 days after the election.
200191
201192 (4) The vote given for persons for electors of President and Vice President of the United States. The results for presidential electors shall be endorsed Presidential Election Returns and shall be canvassed and sent within 28 days after the election.
202193
203194 (5) All statewide measures.
204195
205196 (6) The total number of ballots cast.
206197
207198 (b) The duties imposed on election officials pursuant to subdivision (a) are ministerial and nondiscretionary.
208199
209200 SEC. 6. Section 15400 of the Elections Code is amended to read:15400. (a) It is the ministerial and nondiscretionary duty of the governing body to declare elected or nominated to each office voted on at each election under its jurisdiction the person having the highest number of votes for that office, or who was elected or nominated under the exceptions noted in Section 15452.(b) It is the ministerial and nondiscretionary duty of the governing board to declare the results of each election under its jurisdiction as to each measure voted on at the election.
210201
211202 SEC. 6. Section 15400 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
212203
213204 ### SEC. 6.
214205
215206 15400. (a) It is the ministerial and nondiscretionary duty of the governing body to declare elected or nominated to each office voted on at each election under its jurisdiction the person having the highest number of votes for that office, or who was elected or nominated under the exceptions noted in Section 15452.(b) It is the ministerial and nondiscretionary duty of the governing board to declare the results of each election under its jurisdiction as to each measure voted on at the election.
216207
217208 15400. (a) It is the ministerial and nondiscretionary duty of the governing body to declare elected or nominated to each office voted on at each election under its jurisdiction the person having the highest number of votes for that office, or who was elected or nominated under the exceptions noted in Section 15452.(b) It is the ministerial and nondiscretionary duty of the governing board to declare the results of each election under its jurisdiction as to each measure voted on at the election.
218209
219210 15400. (a) It is the ministerial and nondiscretionary duty of the governing body to declare elected or nominated to each office voted on at each election under its jurisdiction the person having the highest number of votes for that office, or who was elected or nominated under the exceptions noted in Section 15452.(b) It is the ministerial and nondiscretionary duty of the governing board to declare the results of each election under its jurisdiction as to each measure voted on at the election.
220211
212+
213+
221214 15400. (a) It is the ministerial and nondiscretionary duty of the governing body to declare elected or nominated to each office voted on at each election under its jurisdiction the person having the highest number of votes for that office, or who was elected or nominated under the exceptions noted in Section 15452.
222-
223-###### 15400.
224215
225216 (b) It is the ministerial and nondiscretionary duty of the governing board to declare the results of each election under its jurisdiction as to each measure voted on at the election.
226217
227218 SEC. 7. Section 18568 of the Elections Code is amended to read:18568. Every person is punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three years, or by both that fine and imprisonment, who:(a) Aids in changing or destroying any poll list or official ballot.(b) Aids in wrongfully placing any ballots in the ballot container or in taking any therefrom.(c) Adds or attempts to add any ballots to those legally polled at any election by fraudulently putting them into the ballot container, either before or after the ballots therein have been counted.(d) Adds to or mixes with, or attempts to add to or mix with, the ballots polled, any other ballots, while they are being counted or canvassed or at any other time, with intent to change the result of the election, or allows another to do so, when in the persons power to prevent it.(e) Carries away or destroys, attempts to carry away or destroy, or knowingly allows another to carry away or destroy, any poll list, ballot container, or ballots lawfully polled or who willfully detains, mutilates, or destroys any election returns.(f) Removes any unvoted ballots from the polling place before the completion of the ballot count.(g) Displays a container or provides an envelope for the purpose of collecting or returning ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot or returning a ballot in an unofficial ballot return envelope. Evidence of intent to deceive may include using the word official on the container or envelope, or otherwise fashioning the container or envelope in a way that is likely to deceive a voter into believing that the container or envelope is an official collection box or official ballot return envelope that has been approved by an elections official.(h) Directs or solicits a voter to place a ballot in a container or envelope prohibited by subdivision (g).
228219
229220 SEC. 7. Section 18568 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
230221
231222 ### SEC. 7.
232223
233224 18568. Every person is punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three years, or by both that fine and imprisonment, who:(a) Aids in changing or destroying any poll list or official ballot.(b) Aids in wrongfully placing any ballots in the ballot container or in taking any therefrom.(c) Adds or attempts to add any ballots to those legally polled at any election by fraudulently putting them into the ballot container, either before or after the ballots therein have been counted.(d) Adds to or mixes with, or attempts to add to or mix with, the ballots polled, any other ballots, while they are being counted or canvassed or at any other time, with intent to change the result of the election, or allows another to do so, when in the persons power to prevent it.(e) Carries away or destroys, attempts to carry away or destroy, or knowingly allows another to carry away or destroy, any poll list, ballot container, or ballots lawfully polled or who willfully detains, mutilates, or destroys any election returns.(f) Removes any unvoted ballots from the polling place before the completion of the ballot count.(g) Displays a container or provides an envelope for the purpose of collecting or returning ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot or returning a ballot in an unofficial ballot return envelope. Evidence of intent to deceive may include using the word official on the container or envelope, or otherwise fashioning the container or envelope in a way that is likely to deceive a voter into believing that the container or envelope is an official collection box or official ballot return envelope that has been approved by an elections official.(h) Directs or solicits a voter to place a ballot in a container or envelope prohibited by subdivision (g).
234225
235226 18568. Every person is punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three years, or by both that fine and imprisonment, who:(a) Aids in changing or destroying any poll list or official ballot.(b) Aids in wrongfully placing any ballots in the ballot container or in taking any therefrom.(c) Adds or attempts to add any ballots to those legally polled at any election by fraudulently putting them into the ballot container, either before or after the ballots therein have been counted.(d) Adds to or mixes with, or attempts to add to or mix with, the ballots polled, any other ballots, while they are being counted or canvassed or at any other time, with intent to change the result of the election, or allows another to do so, when in the persons power to prevent it.(e) Carries away or destroys, attempts to carry away or destroy, or knowingly allows another to carry away or destroy, any poll list, ballot container, or ballots lawfully polled or who willfully detains, mutilates, or destroys any election returns.(f) Removes any unvoted ballots from the polling place before the completion of the ballot count.(g) Displays a container or provides an envelope for the purpose of collecting or returning ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot or returning a ballot in an unofficial ballot return envelope. Evidence of intent to deceive may include using the word official on the container or envelope, or otherwise fashioning the container or envelope in a way that is likely to deceive a voter into believing that the container or envelope is an official collection box or official ballot return envelope that has been approved by an elections official.(h) Directs or solicits a voter to place a ballot in a container or envelope prohibited by subdivision (g).
236227
237228 18568. Every person is punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three years, or by both that fine and imprisonment, who:(a) Aids in changing or destroying any poll list or official ballot.(b) Aids in wrongfully placing any ballots in the ballot container or in taking any therefrom.(c) Adds or attempts to add any ballots to those legally polled at any election by fraudulently putting them into the ballot container, either before or after the ballots therein have been counted.(d) Adds to or mixes with, or attempts to add to or mix with, the ballots polled, any other ballots, while they are being counted or canvassed or at any other time, with intent to change the result of the election, or allows another to do so, when in the persons power to prevent it.(e) Carries away or destroys, attempts to carry away or destroy, or knowingly allows another to carry away or destroy, any poll list, ballot container, or ballots lawfully polled or who willfully detains, mutilates, or destroys any election returns.(f) Removes any unvoted ballots from the polling place before the completion of the ballot count.(g) Displays a container or provides an envelope for the purpose of collecting or returning ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot or returning a ballot in an unofficial ballot return envelope. Evidence of intent to deceive may include using the word official on the container or envelope, or otherwise fashioning the container or envelope in a way that is likely to deceive a voter into believing that the container or envelope is an official collection box or official ballot return envelope that has been approved by an elections official.(h) Directs or solicits a voter to place a ballot in a container or envelope prohibited by subdivision (g).
238229
230+
231+
239232 18568. Every person is punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three years, or by both that fine and imprisonment, who:
240-
241-###### 18568.
242233
243234 (a) Aids in changing or destroying any poll list or official ballot.
244235
245236 (b) Aids in wrongfully placing any ballots in the ballot container or in taking any therefrom.
246237
247238 (c) Adds or attempts to add any ballots to those legally polled at any election by fraudulently putting them into the ballot container, either before or after the ballots therein have been counted.
248239
249240 (d) Adds to or mixes with, or attempts to add to or mix with, the ballots polled, any other ballots, while they are being counted or canvassed or at any other time, with intent to change the result of the election, or allows another to do so, when in the persons power to prevent it.
250241
251242 (e) Carries away or destroys, attempts to carry away or destroy, or knowingly allows another to carry away or destroy, any poll list, ballot container, or ballots lawfully polled or who willfully detains, mutilates, or destroys any election returns.
252243
253244 (f) Removes any unvoted ballots from the polling place before the completion of the ballot count.
254245
255246 (g) Displays a container or provides an envelope for the purpose of collecting or returning ballots, with the intent to deceive a voter into casting a ballot in an unofficial ballot or returning a ballot in an unofficial ballot return envelope. Evidence of intent to deceive may include using the word official on the container or envelope, or otherwise fashioning the container or envelope in a way that is likely to deceive a voter into believing that the container or envelope is an official collection box or official ballot return envelope that has been approved by an elections official.
256247
257248 (h) Directs or solicits a voter to place a ballot in a container or envelope prohibited by subdivision (g).
258249
259250 SEC. 8. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution for certain costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district because, in that regard, this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.However, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains other 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.
260251
261252 SEC. 8. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution for certain costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district because, in that regard, this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.However, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains other 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.
262253
263254 SEC. 8. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution for certain costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district because, in that regard, this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
264255
265256 ### SEC. 8.
266257
267258 However, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains other 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.