Bill > SB398

This bill adds a new section to California's Elections Code that criminalizes paying or offering to pay money or other valuable consideration to induce someone to vote or register to vote, or where payment is contingent on voting or voter registration status. The bill defines "other valuable consideration" to include things like lottery or prize-drawing contests. Violators would face significant penalties, including a fine of up to $10,000 and potential imprisonment for 16 months to three years in state prison or up to one year in county jail. The bill aims to prevent potential vote buying or manipulation by making it illegal to provide financial incentives directly tied to voting or voter registration. Importantly, the bill specifies that the state will not be required to reimburse local agencies for costs associated with implementing this new criminal provision. The legislation builds upon existing election law by creating a more comprehensive prohibition on financial inducements related to voting, with the goal of protecting the integrity of the electoral process.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB398