Bill > AB868

This bill aims to address voter participation inequities in primary elections by modifying how county nonpartisan offices are elected. Currently, if a candidate receives a majority of votes in a primary election, they are automatically elected. The bill changes this for county nonpartisan offices, requiring the top two vote-getters to advance to the general election, regardless of whether either candidate received a majority. The legislation is motivated by data showing significant disparities in primary election turnout, with primary electorates being less diverse and representative of the overall population. Specifically, the bill highlights that primary voters tend to be older, wealthier, and disproportionately white, with lower participation from young people, renters, and communities of color. The bill notes dramatic differences in voter participation, such as Latino voter turnout increasing by 44.1% from primary to general election in 2022, and overall primary election turnout averaging only 32.09% compared to 55.39% in general elections. By ensuring that two candidates always advance to the general election, the bill seeks to provide more Californians with an opportunity to participate in selecting local representatives and create a more inclusive electoral process. If the Commission on State Mandates determines the bill imposes additional costs on local governments, the state will provide reimbursement for those expenses.

Government Affairs

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB868