AB-459
Government Operations

Initiatives: qualification: electronic signatures.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes a new online system allowing voters to electronically sign state and local ballot petitions.
  • Requires the Secretary of State to verify electronic signatures and post real-time signature counts online.
  • Combines electronic and paper signatures to determine if petitions qualify for the ballot.
  • Mandates posting of petition text and arguments for and against measures on the state website.

Summary

Assembly Member DeMaio's electronic petition legislation would establish a state-managed online system allowing California voters to electronically sign initiative, referendum, and recall petitions through the Secretary of State's website. The proposal creates parallel digital and paper signature collection processes, with electronic signatures carrying equal legal weight as traditional handwritten ones.

Under the new framework, petition proponents could opt to circulate their measures electronically, triggering requirements for the Secretary of State to post petition text, related arguments, and real-time signature tallies online. The system would verify voter identities and authenticate electronic signatures without requiring the circulator affidavits currently mandated for paper petitions.

The bill outlines specific procedures for state and local election officials to process electronic signatures. Upon completion of circulation periods, officials would combine valid electronic and paper signatures to determine if petitions meet qualification thresholds. For state measures, the Secretary of State would certify qualifying petitions that reach 100% of required signatures. County, city, school district and special district officials would follow similar protocols for local measures.

The measure includes provisions for reimbursing local agencies and school districts for any state-mandated costs associated with implementing the electronic system, as determined by the Commission on State Mandates. This maintains existing fiscal protections for local governments while modernizing California's direct democracy tools.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Elections
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Elections
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Elections Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Elections Hearing
Reconsideration
Assembly Elections Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Elections Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Marc BermanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Steve BennettD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Bill EssayliR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Carl DeMaioR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Marc BermanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Steve BennettD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Bill EssayliR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Carl DeMaioR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine StefaniD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
David TangipaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Carl DeMaio
Carl DeMaioR
California State Assembly Member
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/6/2025)

Latest Voting History

April 30, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Elections Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
5027PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes a new online system allowing voters to electronically sign state and local ballot petitions.
  • Requires the Secretary of State to verify electronic signatures and post real-time signature counts online.
  • Combines electronic and paper signatures to determine if petitions qualify for the ballot.
  • Mandates posting of petition text and arguments for and against measures on the state website.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Carl DeMaio
Carl DeMaioR
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member DeMaio's electronic petition legislation would establish a state-managed online system allowing California voters to electronically sign initiative, referendum, and recall petitions through the Secretary of State's website. The proposal creates parallel digital and paper signature collection processes, with electronic signatures carrying equal legal weight as traditional handwritten ones.

Under the new framework, petition proponents could opt to circulate their measures electronically, triggering requirements for the Secretary of State to post petition text, related arguments, and real-time signature tallies online. The system would verify voter identities and authenticate electronic signatures without requiring the circulator affidavits currently mandated for paper petitions.

The bill outlines specific procedures for state and local election officials to process electronic signatures. Upon completion of circulation periods, officials would combine valid electronic and paper signatures to determine if petitions meet qualification thresholds. For state measures, the Secretary of State would certify qualifying petitions that reach 100% of required signatures. County, city, school district and special district officials would follow similar protocols for local measures.

The measure includes provisions for reimbursing local agencies and school districts for any state-mandated costs associated with implementing the electronic system, as determined by the Commission on State Mandates. This maintains existing fiscal protections for local governments while modernizing California's direct democracy tools.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/6/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Elections
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Elections
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Elections Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Elections Hearing
Reconsideration
Assembly Elections Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Elections Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

April 30, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Elections Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
5027PASS

Contacts

Profile
Marc BermanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Steve BennettD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Bill EssayliR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Carl DeMaioR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Marc BermanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Steve BennettD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Bill EssayliR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Carl DeMaioR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine StefaniD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
David TangipaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member