Signed by Governor Jerry Brown, Jr.

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the use of mail ballots during special elections.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a special election to be conducted wholly by mail if certain conditions including, but not limited to, the following apply (Sec. 1):
• The Board of Supervisors of each county within the congressional or legislative district authorizes the use of mailed ballots;
• The election does not occur on the same date as a state primary election, a state general election, or any election conducted in an overlapping jurisdiction that is not being conducted wholly by mail; 
• At least 1 drop off location is provided per city and is accessible during business hours to receive ballots at least 7 days before the date of the election; and
• The elections official delivers all necessary supplies for the use and return of the mail ballot to each voter.

• Requires either the sample ballot or the voter’s ballot to be delivered with the following information (Sec. 1): 
• A notice informing the voter that the vote is being conducted wholly by mail; 
• A list of the ballot dropoff locations and polling places, which must also be available through the county election official’s website; and
• A statement informing voters that the voting materials, including the official ballot and the facsimile ballot, are available in all languages.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill will remain in effect until January 1, 2020 unless a later enacted statute deletes or extends the effective date (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text