Bill > SB851

This bill introduces several significant changes to California's election laws, focusing on procedural requirements, election system standards, and potential legal actions related to elections. The bill mandates that state or local agencies must notify the Secretary of State and Attorney General within three days of filing or being served with any election-related federal court action, and provide at least 14 days' notice before entering into any settlement or court agreement. It clarifies that certain election-related duties, such as preparing election result statements and declaring election winners, are ministerial and non-discretionary. The bill expands criminal penalties to include displaying envelopes intended to deceive voters about ballot collection and modifies restrictions on uniformed law enforcement near polling places and election offices. It also updates voting system certification standards, requiring the Secretary of State to adopt standards that meet the Help America Vote Act's minimum requirements and incorporate best practices in election technology. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for source code escrow, notification of voting system defects, and creates new reporting requirements for election-related legal actions. The legislation is declared an urgency statute, meaning it will take effect immediately, with the stated purpose of applying to a potential statewide special election in November 2025.

Government Affairs

Elections and Constitutional Amendments (Senate)

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB851