Amended IN Senate March 25, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 689Introduced by Senator BeckerFebruary 21, 2025An act to amend Section 19103 Sections 10010 and 14026 of the Elections Code, relating to elections. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 689, as amended, Becker. Certification of voting systems.California Voting Rights Act of 2001.The California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA) prohibits a political subdivision from imposing or applying an at-large method of election for members of the political subdivisions governing body in a manner that impairs the ability of a protected class to elect candidates of its choice or its ability to influence the outcome of an election, as specified. Existing law requires courts to implement appropriate remedies, including the imposition of district-based elections, for violations of the CVRA. Existing law defines at-large method of election for these purposes to include a method of election that combines at-large elections with district-based elections.This bill would create an exception for cities with a population of 50,000 people or less, whereby a method of electing members to the governing body of the city in which no more than 20% of the members are elected at large and the remaining members are elected by district would constitute a district-based election for purposes of the CVRA.Existing law requires a prospective plaintiff, before commencing an action to enforce the CVRA, to first mail a written notice to the clerk of the political subdivision. Existing law prohibits the prospective plaintiff from commencing an action to enforce the CVRA within 45 days of the political subdivisions receipt of the notice and authorizes the political subdivision, within those 45 days, to pass a resolution outlining its intention to transition from at-large elections to district-based elections.This bill would extend that period to within 90 days of the political subdivisions receipt of the notice. For allegations that elections for the governing body of a city with a population of 50,000 people or less violate the CVRA, the bill would require the written notice to be signed by at least 100 voters.Existing law makes the Secretary of State responsible for certifying voting systems and gives the Secretary of State specified duties in that regard, including adopting regulations governing the use of voting machines, voting devices, vote tabulating devices, and ballot marking systems. Existing law requires the chairpersons of the Senate and Assembly committees on elections to meet with, and assist, the Secretary of State for those purposes.This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to the latter provision.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 10010 of the Elections Code is amended to read:10010. (a) A political subdivision that changes from an at-large method of election to a district-based election, or that establishes district-based elections, shall do all of the following before a public hearing at which the governing body of the political subdivision votes to approve or defeat an ordinance establishing district-based elections:(1) Before drawing a draft map or maps of the proposed boundaries of the districts, the political subdivision shall hold at least two public hearings over a period of no more than 30 days, at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the composition of the districts. Before these hearings, the political subdivision may conduct outreach to the public, including to non-English-speaking communities, to explain the districting process and to encourage public participation.(2) After all draft maps are drawn, the political subdivision shall publish and make available for release at least one draft map and, if members of the governing body of the political subdivision will be elected in their districts at different times to provide for staggered terms of office, the potential sequence of the elections. The political subdivision shall also hold at least two additional hearings over a period of no more than 45 days, at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft map or maps and the proposed sequence of elections, if applicable. The first version of a draft map shall be published at least seven days before consideration at a hearing. If a draft map is revised at or following a hearing, it shall be published and made available to the public for at least seven days before being adopted.(3) If a public hearing held pursuant to this section is consolidated with a regular or special meeting of the governing body of the political subdivision that includes other substantive agenda items, the public hearing shall begin at a fixed time regardless of its order on the agenda, except that the governing body of the political subdivision may first conclude any item being discussed or acted upon, including any associated public comment, when that time occurs. The governing body shall provide notice of the public hearing to the public.(b) In determining the final sequence of the district elections conducted in a political subdivision in which members of the governing body will be elected at different times to provide for staggered terms of office, the governing body shall give special consideration to the purposes of the California Voting Rights Act of 2001, and it shall take into account the preferences expressed by members of the districts.(c) This section applies to, but is not limited to, a proposal that is required due to a court-imposed change from an at-large method of election to a district-based election.(d) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) At-large method of election has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 14026.(2) District-based election has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 14026.(3) Political subdivision has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (c) of Section 14026.(e) (1) (A) Before commencing an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028, a prospective plaintiff shall send by certified mail a written notice to the clerk of the political subdivision against which the action would be brought asserting that the political subdivisions method of conducting elections may violate the California Voting Rights Act of 2001.(B) For allegations that a city with a population of 50,000 people or less has a method of conducting elections that may violate the California Voting Rights Act of 2001, a written notice described in subparagraph (A) shall be signed by at least 100 voters of the city.(2) A prospective plaintiff shall not commence an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028 within 45 90 days of the political subdivisions receipt of the written notice described in paragraph (1).(3) (A) Before receiving a written notice described in paragraph (1), or within 45 90 days of receipt of a notice, a political subdivision may pass a resolution outlining its intention to transition from at-large to district-based elections, specific steps it will undertake to facilitate this transition, and an estimated timeframe for doing so.(B) If a political subdivision passes a resolution pursuant to subparagraph (A), a prospective plaintiff shall not commence an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028 within 90 days of the resolutions passage.(C) (i) A political subdivision and the prospective plaintiff who first sends a notice pursuant to paragraph (1) may enter into a written agreement to extend the time period described in subparagraph (B) for up to an additional 90 days in order to provide additional time to conduct public outreach, encourage public participation, and receive public input. The written agreement shall include a requirement that the district boundaries be established no later than six months before the political subdivisions next regular election to select governing board members. However, in a political subdivision that holds a primary election as part of its process for selecting governing board members, the written agreement shall include a requirement that district boundaries be established no later than six months before the political subdivisions next regular primary election.(ii) No later than 10 days after a political subdivision enters into a written agreement pursuant to clause (i), the political subdivision shall prepare and make available on its internet website a tentative schedule of the public outreach events and the public hearings held pursuant to this section. If a political subdivision does not maintain an internet website, the political subdivision shall make the tentative schedule available to the public upon request.(f) (1) If a political subdivision adopts an ordinance establishing district-based elections pursuant to subdivision (a), a prospective plaintiff who sent a written notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) before the political subdivision passed its resolution of intention may, within 30 days of the ordinances adoption, demand reimbursement for the cost of the work product generated to support the notice. A prospective plaintiff shall make the demand in writing and shall substantiate the demand with financial documentation, such as a detailed invoice for demography services. A political subdivision may request additional documentation if the provided documentation is insufficient to corroborate the claimed costs. A political subdivision shall reimburse a prospective plaintiff for reasonable costs claimed, or in an amount to which the parties mutually agree, within 45 days of receiving the written demand, demand for reimbursement, except as provided in paragraph (2). In all cases, the amount of the reimbursement shall not exceed the cap described in paragraph (3).(2) If more than one prospective plaintiff is entitled to reimbursement, the political subdivision shall reimburse the prospective plaintiffs in the order in which they sent a written notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e), and the 45-day time period described in paragraph (1) shall apply applies only to reimbursement of the first prospective plaintiff who sent a written notice. notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e). The cumulative amount of reimbursements to all prospective plaintiffs shall not exceed the cap described in paragraph (3).(3) The amount of reimbursement required by this section is capped at thirty thousand dollars ($30,000), as adjusted annually to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, United States city average, as published by the United States Department of Labor.SEC. 2. Section 14026 of the Elections Code is amended to read:14026. As used in this chapter:(a) At-large method of election means any of the following methods of electing members to the governing body of a political subdivision:(1) One in which the voters of the entire jurisdiction elect the members to the governing body.(2) One in which the candidates are required to reside within given areas of the jurisdiction and the voters of the entire jurisdiction elect the members to the governing body.(3) One that combines at-large elections with district-based elections. elections, except as provided in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b).(b) (1) District-based elections means a method of electing members to the governing body of a political subdivision in which the candidate must reside within an election district that is a divisible part of the political subdivision and is elected only by voters residing within that election district.(2) For a city with a population of 50,000 people or less, district-based elections includes a method of electing members to the governing body in which no more than 20 percent of the members are elected at large and the remaining members are elected only by voters residing within the election district in which the member resides, provided that the election districts encompass the entire jurisdiction of the city.(c) Political subdivision means a geographic area of representation created for the provision of government services, including, but not limited to, a general law city, general law county, charter city, charter county, charter city and county, school district, community college district, or other district organized pursuant to state law.(d) Protected class means a class of voters who are members of a race, color, or language minority group, as this class is referenced and defined in the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.).(e) Racially polarized voting means voting in which there is a difference, as defined in case law regarding enforcement of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.), in the choice of candidates or other electoral choices that are preferred by voters in a protected class, and in the choice of candidates and electoral choices that are preferred by voters in the rest of the electorate. The methodologies for estimating group voting behavior as approved in applicable federal cases to enforce the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.) to establish racially polarized voting may be used for purposes of this section to prove that elections are characterized by racially polarized voting.SECTION 1.Section 19103 of the Elections Code is amended to read:19103.The chairpersons of the Senate and Assembly elections committees shall meet with the Secretary of State and assist the Secretary of State to the extent that the participation is not incompatible with their positions as Members of the Legislature. For purposes of this division, the chairpersons of the committees shall constitute a joint interim legislative committee on the subject of this chapter and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 19200) and shall have the powers and duties imposed upon those committees by the Joint Rules of the Senate and Assembly.
Amended IN Senate March 25, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 689Introduced by Senator BeckerFebruary 21, 2025An act to amend Section 19103 Sections 10010 and 14026 of the Elections Code, relating to elections. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 689, as amended, Becker. Certification of voting systems.California Voting Rights Act of 2001.The California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA) prohibits a political subdivision from imposing or applying an at-large method of election for members of the political subdivisions governing body in a manner that impairs the ability of a protected class to elect candidates of its choice or its ability to influence the outcome of an election, as specified. Existing law requires courts to implement appropriate remedies, including the imposition of district-based elections, for violations of the CVRA. Existing law defines at-large method of election for these purposes to include a method of election that combines at-large elections with district-based elections.This bill would create an exception for cities with a population of 50,000 people or less, whereby a method of electing members to the governing body of the city in which no more than 20% of the members are elected at large and the remaining members are elected by district would constitute a district-based election for purposes of the CVRA.Existing law requires a prospective plaintiff, before commencing an action to enforce the CVRA, to first mail a written notice to the clerk of the political subdivision. Existing law prohibits the prospective plaintiff from commencing an action to enforce the CVRA within 45 days of the political subdivisions receipt of the notice and authorizes the political subdivision, within those 45 days, to pass a resolution outlining its intention to transition from at-large elections to district-based elections.This bill would extend that period to within 90 days of the political subdivisions receipt of the notice. For allegations that elections for the governing body of a city with a population of 50,000 people or less violate the CVRA, the bill would require the written notice to be signed by at least 100 voters.Existing law makes the Secretary of State responsible for certifying voting systems and gives the Secretary of State specified duties in that regard, including adopting regulations governing the use of voting machines, voting devices, vote tabulating devices, and ballot marking systems. Existing law requires the chairpersons of the Senate and Assembly committees on elections to meet with, and assist, the Secretary of State for those purposes.This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to the latter provision.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO
Amended IN Senate March 25, 2025
Amended IN Senate March 25, 2025
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 689
Introduced by Senator BeckerFebruary 21, 2025
Introduced by Senator Becker
February 21, 2025
An act to amend Section 19103 Sections 10010 and 14026 of the Elections Code, relating to elections.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 689, as amended, Becker. Certification of voting systems.California Voting Rights Act of 2001.
The California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA) prohibits a political subdivision from imposing or applying an at-large method of election for members of the political subdivisions governing body in a manner that impairs the ability of a protected class to elect candidates of its choice or its ability to influence the outcome of an election, as specified. Existing law requires courts to implement appropriate remedies, including the imposition of district-based elections, for violations of the CVRA. Existing law defines at-large method of election for these purposes to include a method of election that combines at-large elections with district-based elections.This bill would create an exception for cities with a population of 50,000 people or less, whereby a method of electing members to the governing body of the city in which no more than 20% of the members are elected at large and the remaining members are elected by district would constitute a district-based election for purposes of the CVRA.Existing law requires a prospective plaintiff, before commencing an action to enforce the CVRA, to first mail a written notice to the clerk of the political subdivision. Existing law prohibits the prospective plaintiff from commencing an action to enforce the CVRA within 45 days of the political subdivisions receipt of the notice and authorizes the political subdivision, within those 45 days, to pass a resolution outlining its intention to transition from at-large elections to district-based elections.This bill would extend that period to within 90 days of the political subdivisions receipt of the notice. For allegations that elections for the governing body of a city with a population of 50,000 people or less violate the CVRA, the bill would require the written notice to be signed by at least 100 voters.Existing law makes the Secretary of State responsible for certifying voting systems and gives the Secretary of State specified duties in that regard, including adopting regulations governing the use of voting machines, voting devices, vote tabulating devices, and ballot marking systems. Existing law requires the chairpersons of the Senate and Assembly committees on elections to meet with, and assist, the Secretary of State for those purposes.This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to the latter provision.
The California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA) prohibits a political subdivision from imposing or applying an at-large method of election for members of the political subdivisions governing body in a manner that impairs the ability of a protected class to elect candidates of its choice or its ability to influence the outcome of an election, as specified. Existing law requires courts to implement appropriate remedies, including the imposition of district-based elections, for violations of the CVRA. Existing law defines at-large method of election for these purposes to include a method of election that combines at-large elections with district-based elections.
This bill would create an exception for cities with a population of 50,000 people or less, whereby a method of electing members to the governing body of the city in which no more than 20% of the members are elected at large and the remaining members are elected by district would constitute a district-based election for purposes of the CVRA.
Existing law requires a prospective plaintiff, before commencing an action to enforce the CVRA, to first mail a written notice to the clerk of the political subdivision. Existing law prohibits the prospective plaintiff from commencing an action to enforce the CVRA within 45 days of the political subdivisions receipt of the notice and authorizes the political subdivision, within those 45 days, to pass a resolution outlining its intention to transition from at-large elections to district-based elections.
This bill would extend that period to within 90 days of the political subdivisions receipt of the notice. For allegations that elections for the governing body of a city with a population of 50,000 people or less violate the CVRA, the bill would require the written notice to be signed by at least 100 voters.
Existing law makes the Secretary of State responsible for certifying voting systems and gives the Secretary of State specified duties in that regard, including adopting regulations governing the use of voting machines, voting devices, vote tabulating devices, and ballot marking systems. Existing law requires the chairpersons of the Senate and Assembly committees on elections to meet with, and assist, the Secretary of State for those purposes.
This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to the latter provision.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 10010 of the Elections Code is amended to read:10010. (a) A political subdivision that changes from an at-large method of election to a district-based election, or that establishes district-based elections, shall do all of the following before a public hearing at which the governing body of the political subdivision votes to approve or defeat an ordinance establishing district-based elections:(1) Before drawing a draft map or maps of the proposed boundaries of the districts, the political subdivision shall hold at least two public hearings over a period of no more than 30 days, at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the composition of the districts. Before these hearings, the political subdivision may conduct outreach to the public, including to non-English-speaking communities, to explain the districting process and to encourage public participation.(2) After all draft maps are drawn, the political subdivision shall publish and make available for release at least one draft map and, if members of the governing body of the political subdivision will be elected in their districts at different times to provide for staggered terms of office, the potential sequence of the elections. The political subdivision shall also hold at least two additional hearings over a period of no more than 45 days, at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft map or maps and the proposed sequence of elections, if applicable. The first version of a draft map shall be published at least seven days before consideration at a hearing. If a draft map is revised at or following a hearing, it shall be published and made available to the public for at least seven days before being adopted.(3) If a public hearing held pursuant to this section is consolidated with a regular or special meeting of the governing body of the political subdivision that includes other substantive agenda items, the public hearing shall begin at a fixed time regardless of its order on the agenda, except that the governing body of the political subdivision may first conclude any item being discussed or acted upon, including any associated public comment, when that time occurs. The governing body shall provide notice of the public hearing to the public.(b) In determining the final sequence of the district elections conducted in a political subdivision in which members of the governing body will be elected at different times to provide for staggered terms of office, the governing body shall give special consideration to the purposes of the California Voting Rights Act of 2001, and it shall take into account the preferences expressed by members of the districts.(c) This section applies to, but is not limited to, a proposal that is required due to a court-imposed change from an at-large method of election to a district-based election.(d) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) At-large method of election has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 14026.(2) District-based election has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 14026.(3) Political subdivision has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (c) of Section 14026.(e) (1) (A) Before commencing an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028, a prospective plaintiff shall send by certified mail a written notice to the clerk of the political subdivision against which the action would be brought asserting that the political subdivisions method of conducting elections may violate the California Voting Rights Act of 2001.(B) For allegations that a city with a population of 50,000 people or less has a method of conducting elections that may violate the California Voting Rights Act of 2001, a written notice described in subparagraph (A) shall be signed by at least 100 voters of the city.(2) A prospective plaintiff shall not commence an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028 within 45 90 days of the political subdivisions receipt of the written notice described in paragraph (1).(3) (A) Before receiving a written notice described in paragraph (1), or within 45 90 days of receipt of a notice, a political subdivision may pass a resolution outlining its intention to transition from at-large to district-based elections, specific steps it will undertake to facilitate this transition, and an estimated timeframe for doing so.(B) If a political subdivision passes a resolution pursuant to subparagraph (A), a prospective plaintiff shall not commence an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028 within 90 days of the resolutions passage.(C) (i) A political subdivision and the prospective plaintiff who first sends a notice pursuant to paragraph (1) may enter into a written agreement to extend the time period described in subparagraph (B) for up to an additional 90 days in order to provide additional time to conduct public outreach, encourage public participation, and receive public input. The written agreement shall include a requirement that the district boundaries be established no later than six months before the political subdivisions next regular election to select governing board members. However, in a political subdivision that holds a primary election as part of its process for selecting governing board members, the written agreement shall include a requirement that district boundaries be established no later than six months before the political subdivisions next regular primary election.(ii) No later than 10 days after a political subdivision enters into a written agreement pursuant to clause (i), the political subdivision shall prepare and make available on its internet website a tentative schedule of the public outreach events and the public hearings held pursuant to this section. If a political subdivision does not maintain an internet website, the political subdivision shall make the tentative schedule available to the public upon request.(f) (1) If a political subdivision adopts an ordinance establishing district-based elections pursuant to subdivision (a), a prospective plaintiff who sent a written notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) before the political subdivision passed its resolution of intention may, within 30 days of the ordinances adoption, demand reimbursement for the cost of the work product generated to support the notice. A prospective plaintiff shall make the demand in writing and shall substantiate the demand with financial documentation, such as a detailed invoice for demography services. A political subdivision may request additional documentation if the provided documentation is insufficient to corroborate the claimed costs. A political subdivision shall reimburse a prospective plaintiff for reasonable costs claimed, or in an amount to which the parties mutually agree, within 45 days of receiving the written demand, demand for reimbursement, except as provided in paragraph (2). In all cases, the amount of the reimbursement shall not exceed the cap described in paragraph (3).(2) If more than one prospective plaintiff is entitled to reimbursement, the political subdivision shall reimburse the prospective plaintiffs in the order in which they sent a written notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e), and the 45-day time period described in paragraph (1) shall apply applies only to reimbursement of the first prospective plaintiff who sent a written notice. notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e). The cumulative amount of reimbursements to all prospective plaintiffs shall not exceed the cap described in paragraph (3).(3) The amount of reimbursement required by this section is capped at thirty thousand dollars ($30,000), as adjusted annually to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, United States city average, as published by the United States Department of Labor.SEC. 2. Section 14026 of the Elections Code is amended to read:14026. As used in this chapter:(a) At-large method of election means any of the following methods of electing members to the governing body of a political subdivision:(1) One in which the voters of the entire jurisdiction elect the members to the governing body.(2) One in which the candidates are required to reside within given areas of the jurisdiction and the voters of the entire jurisdiction elect the members to the governing body.(3) One that combines at-large elections with district-based elections. elections, except as provided in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b).(b) (1) District-based elections means a method of electing members to the governing body of a political subdivision in which the candidate must reside within an election district that is a divisible part of the political subdivision and is elected only by voters residing within that election district.(2) For a city with a population of 50,000 people or less, district-based elections includes a method of electing members to the governing body in which no more than 20 percent of the members are elected at large and the remaining members are elected only by voters residing within the election district in which the member resides, provided that the election districts encompass the entire jurisdiction of the city.(c) Political subdivision means a geographic area of representation created for the provision of government services, including, but not limited to, a general law city, general law county, charter city, charter county, charter city and county, school district, community college district, or other district organized pursuant to state law.(d) Protected class means a class of voters who are members of a race, color, or language minority group, as this class is referenced and defined in the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.).(e) Racially polarized voting means voting in which there is a difference, as defined in case law regarding enforcement of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.), in the choice of candidates or other electoral choices that are preferred by voters in a protected class, and in the choice of candidates and electoral choices that are preferred by voters in the rest of the electorate. The methodologies for estimating group voting behavior as approved in applicable federal cases to enforce the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.) to establish racially polarized voting may be used for purposes of this section to prove that elections are characterized by racially polarized voting.SECTION 1.Section 19103 of the Elections Code is amended to read:19103.The chairpersons of the Senate and Assembly elections committees shall meet with the Secretary of State and assist the Secretary of State to the extent that the participation is not incompatible with their positions as Members of the Legislature. For purposes of this division, the chairpersons of the committees shall constitute a joint interim legislative committee on the subject of this chapter and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 19200) and shall have the powers and duties imposed upon those committees by the Joint Rules of the Senate and Assembly.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 10010 of the Elections Code is amended to read:10010. (a) A political subdivision that changes from an at-large method of election to a district-based election, or that establishes district-based elections, shall do all of the following before a public hearing at which the governing body of the political subdivision votes to approve or defeat an ordinance establishing district-based elections:(1) Before drawing a draft map or maps of the proposed boundaries of the districts, the political subdivision shall hold at least two public hearings over a period of no more than 30 days, at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the composition of the districts. Before these hearings, the political subdivision may conduct outreach to the public, including to non-English-speaking communities, to explain the districting process and to encourage public participation.(2) After all draft maps are drawn, the political subdivision shall publish and make available for release at least one draft map and, if members of the governing body of the political subdivision will be elected in their districts at different times to provide for staggered terms of office, the potential sequence of the elections. The political subdivision shall also hold at least two additional hearings over a period of no more than 45 days, at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft map or maps and the proposed sequence of elections, if applicable. The first version of a draft map shall be published at least seven days before consideration at a hearing. If a draft map is revised at or following a hearing, it shall be published and made available to the public for at least seven days before being adopted.(3) If a public hearing held pursuant to this section is consolidated with a regular or special meeting of the governing body of the political subdivision that includes other substantive agenda items, the public hearing shall begin at a fixed time regardless of its order on the agenda, except that the governing body of the political subdivision may first conclude any item being discussed or acted upon, including any associated public comment, when that time occurs. The governing body shall provide notice of the public hearing to the public.(b) In determining the final sequence of the district elections conducted in a political subdivision in which members of the governing body will be elected at different times to provide for staggered terms of office, the governing body shall give special consideration to the purposes of the California Voting Rights Act of 2001, and it shall take into account the preferences expressed by members of the districts.(c) This section applies to, but is not limited to, a proposal that is required due to a court-imposed change from an at-large method of election to a district-based election.(d) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) At-large method of election has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 14026.(2) District-based election has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 14026.(3) Political subdivision has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (c) of Section 14026.(e) (1) (A) Before commencing an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028, a prospective plaintiff shall send by certified mail a written notice to the clerk of the political subdivision against which the action would be brought asserting that the political subdivisions method of conducting elections may violate the California Voting Rights Act of 2001.(B) For allegations that a city with a population of 50,000 people or less has a method of conducting elections that may violate the California Voting Rights Act of 2001, a written notice described in subparagraph (A) shall be signed by at least 100 voters of the city.(2) A prospective plaintiff shall not commence an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028 within 45 90 days of the political subdivisions receipt of the written notice described in paragraph (1).(3) (A) Before receiving a written notice described in paragraph (1), or within 45 90 days of receipt of a notice, a political subdivision may pass a resolution outlining its intention to transition from at-large to district-based elections, specific steps it will undertake to facilitate this transition, and an estimated timeframe for doing so.(B) If a political subdivision passes a resolution pursuant to subparagraph (A), a prospective plaintiff shall not commence an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028 within 90 days of the resolutions passage.(C) (i) A political subdivision and the prospective plaintiff who first sends a notice pursuant to paragraph (1) may enter into a written agreement to extend the time period described in subparagraph (B) for up to an additional 90 days in order to provide additional time to conduct public outreach, encourage public participation, and receive public input. The written agreement shall include a requirement that the district boundaries be established no later than six months before the political subdivisions next regular election to select governing board members. However, in a political subdivision that holds a primary election as part of its process for selecting governing board members, the written agreement shall include a requirement that district boundaries be established no later than six months before the political subdivisions next regular primary election.(ii) No later than 10 days after a political subdivision enters into a written agreement pursuant to clause (i), the political subdivision shall prepare and make available on its internet website a tentative schedule of the public outreach events and the public hearings held pursuant to this section. If a political subdivision does not maintain an internet website, the political subdivision shall make the tentative schedule available to the public upon request.(f) (1) If a political subdivision adopts an ordinance establishing district-based elections pursuant to subdivision (a), a prospective plaintiff who sent a written notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) before the political subdivision passed its resolution of intention may, within 30 days of the ordinances adoption, demand reimbursement for the cost of the work product generated to support the notice. A prospective plaintiff shall make the demand in writing and shall substantiate the demand with financial documentation, such as a detailed invoice for demography services. A political subdivision may request additional documentation if the provided documentation is insufficient to corroborate the claimed costs. A political subdivision shall reimburse a prospective plaintiff for reasonable costs claimed, or in an amount to which the parties mutually agree, within 45 days of receiving the written demand, demand for reimbursement, except as provided in paragraph (2). In all cases, the amount of the reimbursement shall not exceed the cap described in paragraph (3).(2) If more than one prospective plaintiff is entitled to reimbursement, the political subdivision shall reimburse the prospective plaintiffs in the order in which they sent a written notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e), and the 45-day time period described in paragraph (1) shall apply applies only to reimbursement of the first prospective plaintiff who sent a written notice. notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e). The cumulative amount of reimbursements to all prospective plaintiffs shall not exceed the cap described in paragraph (3).(3) The amount of reimbursement required by this section is capped at thirty thousand dollars ($30,000), as adjusted annually to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, United States city average, as published by the United States Department of Labor.
SECTION 1. Section 10010 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
### SECTION 1.
10010. (a) A political subdivision that changes from an at-large method of election to a district-based election, or that establishes district-based elections, shall do all of the following before a public hearing at which the governing body of the political subdivision votes to approve or defeat an ordinance establishing district-based elections:(1) Before drawing a draft map or maps of the proposed boundaries of the districts, the political subdivision shall hold at least two public hearings over a period of no more than 30 days, at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the composition of the districts. Before these hearings, the political subdivision may conduct outreach to the public, including to non-English-speaking communities, to explain the districting process and to encourage public participation.(2) After all draft maps are drawn, the political subdivision shall publish and make available for release at least one draft map and, if members of the governing body of the political subdivision will be elected in their districts at different times to provide for staggered terms of office, the potential sequence of the elections. The political subdivision shall also hold at least two additional hearings over a period of no more than 45 days, at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft map or maps and the proposed sequence of elections, if applicable. The first version of a draft map shall be published at least seven days before consideration at a hearing. If a draft map is revised at or following a hearing, it shall be published and made available to the public for at least seven days before being adopted.(3) If a public hearing held pursuant to this section is consolidated with a regular or special meeting of the governing body of the political subdivision that includes other substantive agenda items, the public hearing shall begin at a fixed time regardless of its order on the agenda, except that the governing body of the political subdivision may first conclude any item being discussed or acted upon, including any associated public comment, when that time occurs. The governing body shall provide notice of the public hearing to the public.(b) In determining the final sequence of the district elections conducted in a political subdivision in which members of the governing body will be elected at different times to provide for staggered terms of office, the governing body shall give special consideration to the purposes of the California Voting Rights Act of 2001, and it shall take into account the preferences expressed by members of the districts.(c) This section applies to, but is not limited to, a proposal that is required due to a court-imposed change from an at-large method of election to a district-based election.(d) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) At-large method of election has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 14026.(2) District-based election has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 14026.(3) Political subdivision has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (c) of Section 14026.(e) (1) (A) Before commencing an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028, a prospective plaintiff shall send by certified mail a written notice to the clerk of the political subdivision against which the action would be brought asserting that the political subdivisions method of conducting elections may violate the California Voting Rights Act of 2001.(B) For allegations that a city with a population of 50,000 people or less has a method of conducting elections that may violate the California Voting Rights Act of 2001, a written notice described in subparagraph (A) shall be signed by at least 100 voters of the city.(2) A prospective plaintiff shall not commence an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028 within 45 90 days of the political subdivisions receipt of the written notice described in paragraph (1).(3) (A) Before receiving a written notice described in paragraph (1), or within 45 90 days of receipt of a notice, a political subdivision may pass a resolution outlining its intention to transition from at-large to district-based elections, specific steps it will undertake to facilitate this transition, and an estimated timeframe for doing so.(B) If a political subdivision passes a resolution pursuant to subparagraph (A), a prospective plaintiff shall not commence an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028 within 90 days of the resolutions passage.(C) (i) A political subdivision and the prospective plaintiff who first sends a notice pursuant to paragraph (1) may enter into a written agreement to extend the time period described in subparagraph (B) for up to an additional 90 days in order to provide additional time to conduct public outreach, encourage public participation, and receive public input. The written agreement shall include a requirement that the district boundaries be established no later than six months before the political subdivisions next regular election to select governing board members. However, in a political subdivision that holds a primary election as part of its process for selecting governing board members, the written agreement shall include a requirement that district boundaries be established no later than six months before the political subdivisions next regular primary election.(ii) No later than 10 days after a political subdivision enters into a written agreement pursuant to clause (i), the political subdivision shall prepare and make available on its internet website a tentative schedule of the public outreach events and the public hearings held pursuant to this section. If a political subdivision does not maintain an internet website, the political subdivision shall make the tentative schedule available to the public upon request.(f) (1) If a political subdivision adopts an ordinance establishing district-based elections pursuant to subdivision (a), a prospective plaintiff who sent a written notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) before the political subdivision passed its resolution of intention may, within 30 days of the ordinances adoption, demand reimbursement for the cost of the work product generated to support the notice. A prospective plaintiff shall make the demand in writing and shall substantiate the demand with financial documentation, such as a detailed invoice for demography services. A political subdivision may request additional documentation if the provided documentation is insufficient to corroborate the claimed costs. A political subdivision shall reimburse a prospective plaintiff for reasonable costs claimed, or in an amount to which the parties mutually agree, within 45 days of receiving the written demand, demand for reimbursement, except as provided in paragraph (2). In all cases, the amount of the reimbursement shall not exceed the cap described in paragraph (3).(2) If more than one prospective plaintiff is entitled to reimbursement, the political subdivision shall reimburse the prospective plaintiffs in the order in which they sent a written notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e), and the 45-day time period described in paragraph (1) shall apply applies only to reimbursement of the first prospective plaintiff who sent a written notice. notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e). The cumulative amount of reimbursements to all prospective plaintiffs shall not exceed the cap described in paragraph (3).(3) The amount of reimbursement required by this section is capped at thirty thousand dollars ($30,000), as adjusted annually to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, United States city average, as published by the United States Department of Labor.
10010. (a) A political subdivision that changes from an at-large method of election to a district-based election, or that establishes district-based elections, shall do all of the following before a public hearing at which the governing body of the political subdivision votes to approve or defeat an ordinance establishing district-based elections:(1) Before drawing a draft map or maps of the proposed boundaries of the districts, the political subdivision shall hold at least two public hearings over a period of no more than 30 days, at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the composition of the districts. Before these hearings, the political subdivision may conduct outreach to the public, including to non-English-speaking communities, to explain the districting process and to encourage public participation.(2) After all draft maps are drawn, the political subdivision shall publish and make available for release at least one draft map and, if members of the governing body of the political subdivision will be elected in their districts at different times to provide for staggered terms of office, the potential sequence of the elections. The political subdivision shall also hold at least two additional hearings over a period of no more than 45 days, at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft map or maps and the proposed sequence of elections, if applicable. The first version of a draft map shall be published at least seven days before consideration at a hearing. If a draft map is revised at or following a hearing, it shall be published and made available to the public for at least seven days before being adopted.(3) If a public hearing held pursuant to this section is consolidated with a regular or special meeting of the governing body of the political subdivision that includes other substantive agenda items, the public hearing shall begin at a fixed time regardless of its order on the agenda, except that the governing body of the political subdivision may first conclude any item being discussed or acted upon, including any associated public comment, when that time occurs. The governing body shall provide notice of the public hearing to the public.(b) In determining the final sequence of the district elections conducted in a political subdivision in which members of the governing body will be elected at different times to provide for staggered terms of office, the governing body shall give special consideration to the purposes of the California Voting Rights Act of 2001, and it shall take into account the preferences expressed by members of the districts.(c) This section applies to, but is not limited to, a proposal that is required due to a court-imposed change from an at-large method of election to a district-based election.(d) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) At-large method of election has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 14026.(2) District-based election has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 14026.(3) Political subdivision has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (c) of Section 14026.(e) (1) (A) Before commencing an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028, a prospective plaintiff shall send by certified mail a written notice to the clerk of the political subdivision against which the action would be brought asserting that the political subdivisions method of conducting elections may violate the California Voting Rights Act of 2001.(B) For allegations that a city with a population of 50,000 people or less has a method of conducting elections that may violate the California Voting Rights Act of 2001, a written notice described in subparagraph (A) shall be signed by at least 100 voters of the city.(2) A prospective plaintiff shall not commence an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028 within 45 90 days of the political subdivisions receipt of the written notice described in paragraph (1).(3) (A) Before receiving a written notice described in paragraph (1), or within 45 90 days of receipt of a notice, a political subdivision may pass a resolution outlining its intention to transition from at-large to district-based elections, specific steps it will undertake to facilitate this transition, and an estimated timeframe for doing so.(B) If a political subdivision passes a resolution pursuant to subparagraph (A), a prospective plaintiff shall not commence an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028 within 90 days of the resolutions passage.(C) (i) A political subdivision and the prospective plaintiff who first sends a notice pursuant to paragraph (1) may enter into a written agreement to extend the time period described in subparagraph (B) for up to an additional 90 days in order to provide additional time to conduct public outreach, encourage public participation, and receive public input. The written agreement shall include a requirement that the district boundaries be established no later than six months before the political subdivisions next regular election to select governing board members. However, in a political subdivision that holds a primary election as part of its process for selecting governing board members, the written agreement shall include a requirement that district boundaries be established no later than six months before the political subdivisions next regular primary election.(ii) No later than 10 days after a political subdivision enters into a written agreement pursuant to clause (i), the political subdivision shall prepare and make available on its internet website a tentative schedule of the public outreach events and the public hearings held pursuant to this section. If a political subdivision does not maintain an internet website, the political subdivision shall make the tentative schedule available to the public upon request.(f) (1) If a political subdivision adopts an ordinance establishing district-based elections pursuant to subdivision (a), a prospective plaintiff who sent a written notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) before the political subdivision passed its resolution of intention may, within 30 days of the ordinances adoption, demand reimbursement for the cost of the work product generated to support the notice. A prospective plaintiff shall make the demand in writing and shall substantiate the demand with financial documentation, such as a detailed invoice for demography services. A political subdivision may request additional documentation if the provided documentation is insufficient to corroborate the claimed costs. A political subdivision shall reimburse a prospective plaintiff for reasonable costs claimed, or in an amount to which the parties mutually agree, within 45 days of receiving the written demand, demand for reimbursement, except as provided in paragraph (2). In all cases, the amount of the reimbursement shall not exceed the cap described in paragraph (3).(2) If more than one prospective plaintiff is entitled to reimbursement, the political subdivision shall reimburse the prospective plaintiffs in the order in which they sent a written notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e), and the 45-day time period described in paragraph (1) shall apply applies only to reimbursement of the first prospective plaintiff who sent a written notice. notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e). The cumulative amount of reimbursements to all prospective plaintiffs shall not exceed the cap described in paragraph (3).(3) The amount of reimbursement required by this section is capped at thirty thousand dollars ($30,000), as adjusted annually to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, United States city average, as published by the United States Department of Labor.
10010. (a) A political subdivision that changes from an at-large method of election to a district-based election, or that establishes district-based elections, shall do all of the following before a public hearing at which the governing body of the political subdivision votes to approve or defeat an ordinance establishing district-based elections:(1) Before drawing a draft map or maps of the proposed boundaries of the districts, the political subdivision shall hold at least two public hearings over a period of no more than 30 days, at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the composition of the districts. Before these hearings, the political subdivision may conduct outreach to the public, including to non-English-speaking communities, to explain the districting process and to encourage public participation.(2) After all draft maps are drawn, the political subdivision shall publish and make available for release at least one draft map and, if members of the governing body of the political subdivision will be elected in their districts at different times to provide for staggered terms of office, the potential sequence of the elections. The political subdivision shall also hold at least two additional hearings over a period of no more than 45 days, at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft map or maps and the proposed sequence of elections, if applicable. The first version of a draft map shall be published at least seven days before consideration at a hearing. If a draft map is revised at or following a hearing, it shall be published and made available to the public for at least seven days before being adopted.(3) If a public hearing held pursuant to this section is consolidated with a regular or special meeting of the governing body of the political subdivision that includes other substantive agenda items, the public hearing shall begin at a fixed time regardless of its order on the agenda, except that the governing body of the political subdivision may first conclude any item being discussed or acted upon, including any associated public comment, when that time occurs. The governing body shall provide notice of the public hearing to the public.(b) In determining the final sequence of the district elections conducted in a political subdivision in which members of the governing body will be elected at different times to provide for staggered terms of office, the governing body shall give special consideration to the purposes of the California Voting Rights Act of 2001, and it shall take into account the preferences expressed by members of the districts.(c) This section applies to, but is not limited to, a proposal that is required due to a court-imposed change from an at-large method of election to a district-based election.(d) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) At-large method of election has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 14026.(2) District-based election has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 14026.(3) Political subdivision has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (c) of Section 14026.(e) (1) (A) Before commencing an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028, a prospective plaintiff shall send by certified mail a written notice to the clerk of the political subdivision against which the action would be brought asserting that the political subdivisions method of conducting elections may violate the California Voting Rights Act of 2001.(B) For allegations that a city with a population of 50,000 people or less has a method of conducting elections that may violate the California Voting Rights Act of 2001, a written notice described in subparagraph (A) shall be signed by at least 100 voters of the city.(2) A prospective plaintiff shall not commence an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028 within 45 90 days of the political subdivisions receipt of the written notice described in paragraph (1).(3) (A) Before receiving a written notice described in paragraph (1), or within 45 90 days of receipt of a notice, a political subdivision may pass a resolution outlining its intention to transition from at-large to district-based elections, specific steps it will undertake to facilitate this transition, and an estimated timeframe for doing so.(B) If a political subdivision passes a resolution pursuant to subparagraph (A), a prospective plaintiff shall not commence an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028 within 90 days of the resolutions passage.(C) (i) A political subdivision and the prospective plaintiff who first sends a notice pursuant to paragraph (1) may enter into a written agreement to extend the time period described in subparagraph (B) for up to an additional 90 days in order to provide additional time to conduct public outreach, encourage public participation, and receive public input. The written agreement shall include a requirement that the district boundaries be established no later than six months before the political subdivisions next regular election to select governing board members. However, in a political subdivision that holds a primary election as part of its process for selecting governing board members, the written agreement shall include a requirement that district boundaries be established no later than six months before the political subdivisions next regular primary election.(ii) No later than 10 days after a political subdivision enters into a written agreement pursuant to clause (i), the political subdivision shall prepare and make available on its internet website a tentative schedule of the public outreach events and the public hearings held pursuant to this section. If a political subdivision does not maintain an internet website, the political subdivision shall make the tentative schedule available to the public upon request.(f) (1) If a political subdivision adopts an ordinance establishing district-based elections pursuant to subdivision (a), a prospective plaintiff who sent a written notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) before the political subdivision passed its resolution of intention may, within 30 days of the ordinances adoption, demand reimbursement for the cost of the work product generated to support the notice. A prospective plaintiff shall make the demand in writing and shall substantiate the demand with financial documentation, such as a detailed invoice for demography services. A political subdivision may request additional documentation if the provided documentation is insufficient to corroborate the claimed costs. A political subdivision shall reimburse a prospective plaintiff for reasonable costs claimed, or in an amount to which the parties mutually agree, within 45 days of receiving the written demand, demand for reimbursement, except as provided in paragraph (2). In all cases, the amount of the reimbursement shall not exceed the cap described in paragraph (3).(2) If more than one prospective plaintiff is entitled to reimbursement, the political subdivision shall reimburse the prospective plaintiffs in the order in which they sent a written notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e), and the 45-day time period described in paragraph (1) shall apply applies only to reimbursement of the first prospective plaintiff who sent a written notice. notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e). The cumulative amount of reimbursements to all prospective plaintiffs shall not exceed the cap described in paragraph (3).(3) The amount of reimbursement required by this section is capped at thirty thousand dollars ($30,000), as adjusted annually to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, United States city average, as published by the United States Department of Labor.
10010. (a) A political subdivision that changes from an at-large method of election to a district-based election, or that establishes district-based elections, shall do all of the following before a public hearing at which the governing body of the political subdivision votes to approve or defeat an ordinance establishing district-based elections:
(1) Before drawing a draft map or maps of the proposed boundaries of the districts, the political subdivision shall hold at least two public hearings over a period of no more than 30 days, at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the composition of the districts. Before these hearings, the political subdivision may conduct outreach to the public, including to non-English-speaking communities, to explain the districting process and to encourage public participation.
(2) After all draft maps are drawn, the political subdivision shall publish and make available for release at least one draft map and, if members of the governing body of the political subdivision will be elected in their districts at different times to provide for staggered terms of office, the potential sequence of the elections. The political subdivision shall also hold at least two additional hearings over a period of no more than 45 days, at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft map or maps and the proposed sequence of elections, if applicable. The first version of a draft map shall be published at least seven days before consideration at a hearing. If a draft map is revised at or following a hearing, it shall be published and made available to the public for at least seven days before being adopted.
(3) If a public hearing held pursuant to this section is consolidated with a regular or special meeting of the governing body of the political subdivision that includes other substantive agenda items, the public hearing shall begin at a fixed time regardless of its order on the agenda, except that the governing body of the political subdivision may first conclude any item being discussed or acted upon, including any associated public comment, when that time occurs. The governing body shall provide notice of the public hearing to the public.
(b) In determining the final sequence of the district elections conducted in a political subdivision in which members of the governing body will be elected at different times to provide for staggered terms of office, the governing body shall give special consideration to the purposes of the California Voting Rights Act of 2001, and it shall take into account the preferences expressed by members of the districts.
(c) This section applies to, but is not limited to, a proposal that is required due to a court-imposed change from an at-large method of election to a district-based election.
(d) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) At-large method of election has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 14026.
(2) District-based election has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 14026.
(3) Political subdivision has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (c) of Section 14026.
(e) (1) (A) Before commencing an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028, a prospective plaintiff shall send by certified mail a written notice to the clerk of the political subdivision against which the action would be brought asserting that the political subdivisions method of conducting elections may violate the California Voting Rights Act of 2001.
(B) For allegations that a city with a population of 50,000 people or less has a method of conducting elections that may violate the California Voting Rights Act of 2001, a written notice described in subparagraph (A) shall be signed by at least 100 voters of the city.
(2) A prospective plaintiff shall not commence an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028 within 45 90 days of the political subdivisions receipt of the written notice described in paragraph (1).
(3) (A) Before receiving a written notice described in paragraph (1), or within 45 90 days of receipt of a notice, a political subdivision may pass a resolution outlining its intention to transition from at-large to district-based elections, specific steps it will undertake to facilitate this transition, and an estimated timeframe for doing so.
(B) If a political subdivision passes a resolution pursuant to subparagraph (A), a prospective plaintiff shall not commence an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028 within 90 days of the resolutions passage.
(C) (i) A political subdivision and the prospective plaintiff who first sends a notice pursuant to paragraph (1) may enter into a written agreement to extend the time period described in subparagraph (B) for up to an additional 90 days in order to provide additional time to conduct public outreach, encourage public participation, and receive public input. The written agreement shall include a requirement that the district boundaries be established no later than six months before the political subdivisions next regular election to select governing board members. However, in a political subdivision that holds a primary election as part of its process for selecting governing board members, the written agreement shall include a requirement that district boundaries be established no later than six months before the political subdivisions next regular primary election.
(ii) No later than 10 days after a political subdivision enters into a written agreement pursuant to clause (i), the political subdivision shall prepare and make available on its internet website a tentative schedule of the public outreach events and the public hearings held pursuant to this section. If a political subdivision does not maintain an internet website, the political subdivision shall make the tentative schedule available to the public upon request.
(f) (1) If a political subdivision adopts an ordinance establishing district-based elections pursuant to subdivision (a), a prospective plaintiff who sent a written notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) before the political subdivision passed its resolution of intention may, within 30 days of the ordinances adoption, demand reimbursement for the cost of the work product generated to support the notice. A prospective plaintiff shall make the demand in writing and shall substantiate the demand with financial documentation, such as a detailed invoice for demography services. A political subdivision may request additional documentation if the provided documentation is insufficient to corroborate the claimed costs. A political subdivision shall reimburse a prospective plaintiff for reasonable costs claimed, or in an amount to which the parties mutually agree, within 45 days of receiving the written demand, demand for reimbursement, except as provided in paragraph (2). In all cases, the amount of the reimbursement shall not exceed the cap described in paragraph (3).
(2) If more than one prospective plaintiff is entitled to reimbursement, the political subdivision shall reimburse the prospective plaintiffs in the order in which they sent a written notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e), and the 45-day time period described in paragraph (1) shall apply applies only to reimbursement of the first prospective plaintiff who sent a written notice. notice pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e). The cumulative amount of reimbursements to all prospective plaintiffs shall not exceed the cap described in paragraph (3).
(3) The amount of reimbursement required by this section is capped at thirty thousand dollars ($30,000), as adjusted annually to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, United States city average, as published by the United States Department of Labor.
SEC. 2. Section 14026 of the Elections Code is amended to read:14026. As used in this chapter:(a) At-large method of election means any of the following methods of electing members to the governing body of a political subdivision:(1) One in which the voters of the entire jurisdiction elect the members to the governing body.(2) One in which the candidates are required to reside within given areas of the jurisdiction and the voters of the entire jurisdiction elect the members to the governing body.(3) One that combines at-large elections with district-based elections. elections, except as provided in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b).(b) (1) District-based elections means a method of electing members to the governing body of a political subdivision in which the candidate must reside within an election district that is a divisible part of the political subdivision and is elected only by voters residing within that election district.(2) For a city with a population of 50,000 people or less, district-based elections includes a method of electing members to the governing body in which no more than 20 percent of the members are elected at large and the remaining members are elected only by voters residing within the election district in which the member resides, provided that the election districts encompass the entire jurisdiction of the city.(c) Political subdivision means a geographic area of representation created for the provision of government services, including, but not limited to, a general law city, general law county, charter city, charter county, charter city and county, school district, community college district, or other district organized pursuant to state law.(d) Protected class means a class of voters who are members of a race, color, or language minority group, as this class is referenced and defined in the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.).(e) Racially polarized voting means voting in which there is a difference, as defined in case law regarding enforcement of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.), in the choice of candidates or other electoral choices that are preferred by voters in a protected class, and in the choice of candidates and electoral choices that are preferred by voters in the rest of the electorate. The methodologies for estimating group voting behavior as approved in applicable federal cases to enforce the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.) to establish racially polarized voting may be used for purposes of this section to prove that elections are characterized by racially polarized voting.
SEC. 2. Section 14026 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
### SEC. 2.
14026. As used in this chapter:(a) At-large method of election means any of the following methods of electing members to the governing body of a political subdivision:(1) One in which the voters of the entire jurisdiction elect the members to the governing body.(2) One in which the candidates are required to reside within given areas of the jurisdiction and the voters of the entire jurisdiction elect the members to the governing body.(3) One that combines at-large elections with district-based elections. elections, except as provided in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b).(b) (1) District-based elections means a method of electing members to the governing body of a political subdivision in which the candidate must reside within an election district that is a divisible part of the political subdivision and is elected only by voters residing within that election district.(2) For a city with a population of 50,000 people or less, district-based elections includes a method of electing members to the governing body in which no more than 20 percent of the members are elected at large and the remaining members are elected only by voters residing within the election district in which the member resides, provided that the election districts encompass the entire jurisdiction of the city.(c) Political subdivision means a geographic area of representation created for the provision of government services, including, but not limited to, a general law city, general law county, charter city, charter county, charter city and county, school district, community college district, or other district organized pursuant to state law.(d) Protected class means a class of voters who are members of a race, color, or language minority group, as this class is referenced and defined in the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.).(e) Racially polarized voting means voting in which there is a difference, as defined in case law regarding enforcement of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.), in the choice of candidates or other electoral choices that are preferred by voters in a protected class, and in the choice of candidates and electoral choices that are preferred by voters in the rest of the electorate. The methodologies for estimating group voting behavior as approved in applicable federal cases to enforce the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.) to establish racially polarized voting may be used for purposes of this section to prove that elections are characterized by racially polarized voting.
14026. As used in this chapter:(a) At-large method of election means any of the following methods of electing members to the governing body of a political subdivision:(1) One in which the voters of the entire jurisdiction elect the members to the governing body.(2) One in which the candidates are required to reside within given areas of the jurisdiction and the voters of the entire jurisdiction elect the members to the governing body.(3) One that combines at-large elections with district-based elections. elections, except as provided in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b).(b) (1) District-based elections means a method of electing members to the governing body of a political subdivision in which the candidate must reside within an election district that is a divisible part of the political subdivision and is elected only by voters residing within that election district.(2) For a city with a population of 50,000 people or less, district-based elections includes a method of electing members to the governing body in which no more than 20 percent of the members are elected at large and the remaining members are elected only by voters residing within the election district in which the member resides, provided that the election districts encompass the entire jurisdiction of the city.(c) Political subdivision means a geographic area of representation created for the provision of government services, including, but not limited to, a general law city, general law county, charter city, charter county, charter city and county, school district, community college district, or other district organized pursuant to state law.(d) Protected class means a class of voters who are members of a race, color, or language minority group, as this class is referenced and defined in the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.).(e) Racially polarized voting means voting in which there is a difference, as defined in case law regarding enforcement of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.), in the choice of candidates or other electoral choices that are preferred by voters in a protected class, and in the choice of candidates and electoral choices that are preferred by voters in the rest of the electorate. The methodologies for estimating group voting behavior as approved in applicable federal cases to enforce the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.) to establish racially polarized voting may be used for purposes of this section to prove that elections are characterized by racially polarized voting.
14026. As used in this chapter:(a) At-large method of election means any of the following methods of electing members to the governing body of a political subdivision:(1) One in which the voters of the entire jurisdiction elect the members to the governing body.(2) One in which the candidates are required to reside within given areas of the jurisdiction and the voters of the entire jurisdiction elect the members to the governing body.(3) One that combines at-large elections with district-based elections. elections, except as provided in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b).(b) (1) District-based elections means a method of electing members to the governing body of a political subdivision in which the candidate must reside within an election district that is a divisible part of the political subdivision and is elected only by voters residing within that election district.(2) For a city with a population of 50,000 people or less, district-based elections includes a method of electing members to the governing body in which no more than 20 percent of the members are elected at large and the remaining members are elected only by voters residing within the election district in which the member resides, provided that the election districts encompass the entire jurisdiction of the city.(c) Political subdivision means a geographic area of representation created for the provision of government services, including, but not limited to, a general law city, general law county, charter city, charter county, charter city and county, school district, community college district, or other district organized pursuant to state law.(d) Protected class means a class of voters who are members of a race, color, or language minority group, as this class is referenced and defined in the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.).(e) Racially polarized voting means voting in which there is a difference, as defined in case law regarding enforcement of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.), in the choice of candidates or other electoral choices that are preferred by voters in a protected class, and in the choice of candidates and electoral choices that are preferred by voters in the rest of the electorate. The methodologies for estimating group voting behavior as approved in applicable federal cases to enforce the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.) to establish racially polarized voting may be used for purposes of this section to prove that elections are characterized by racially polarized voting.
14026. As used in this chapter:
(a) At-large method of election means any of the following methods of electing members to the governing body of a political subdivision:
(1) One in which the voters of the entire jurisdiction elect the members to the governing body.
(2) One in which the candidates are required to reside within given areas of the jurisdiction and the voters of the entire jurisdiction elect the members to the governing body.
(3) One that combines at-large elections with district-based elections. elections, except as provided in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b).
(b) (1) District-based elections means a method of electing members to the governing body of a political subdivision in which the candidate must reside within an election district that is a divisible part of the political subdivision and is elected only by voters residing within that election district.
(2) For a city with a population of 50,000 people or less, district-based elections includes a method of electing members to the governing body in which no more than 20 percent of the members are elected at large and the remaining members are elected only by voters residing within the election district in which the member resides, provided that the election districts encompass the entire jurisdiction of the city.
(c) Political subdivision means a geographic area of representation created for the provision of government services, including, but not limited to, a general law city, general law county, charter city, charter county, charter city and county, school district, community college district, or other district organized pursuant to state law.
(d) Protected class means a class of voters who are members of a race, color, or language minority group, as this class is referenced and defined in the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.).
(e) Racially polarized voting means voting in which there is a difference, as defined in case law regarding enforcement of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.), in the choice of candidates or other electoral choices that are preferred by voters in a protected class, and in the choice of candidates and electoral choices that are preferred by voters in the rest of the electorate. The methodologies for estimating group voting behavior as approved in applicable federal cases to enforce the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.) to establish racially polarized voting may be used for purposes of this section to prove that elections are characterized by racially polarized voting.
The chairpersons of the Senate and Assembly elections committees shall meet with the Secretary of State and assist the Secretary of State to the extent that the participation is not incompatible with their positions as Members of the Legislature. For purposes of this division, the chairpersons of the committees shall constitute a joint interim legislative committee on the subject of this chapter and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 19200) and shall have the powers and duties imposed upon those committees by the Joint Rules of the Senate and Assembly.