Bill > AB459

This bill requires the Secretary of State to develop an online system that allows voters to electronically sign state and local initiative, referendum, and recall petitions through the Secretary of State's website. The electronic petition system will enable voters to view the full text of petitions, read arguments for and against the measure, and provide identifying information to sign the petition digitally. Electronic signatures will be treated the same as traditional handwritten signatures and can be combined with physical petition signatures to meet ballot qualification requirements. The system will provide an ongoing tally of signatures and allow petition proponents to receive a list of individuals who have signed electronically. Importantly, electronic signatures will not require the traditional accompanying circulator affidavit. The bill also mandates that the Secretary of State and local elections officials verify the authenticity of electronic signatures and integrate them into the existing petition verification process. If the Commission on State Mandates determines the bill imposes additional costs on local governments, the state will reimburse those costs through existing statutory provisions. By creating this digital pathway for petition signatures, the bill aims to make the citizen initiative process more accessible and convenient for voters.

Government Affairs

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB459