High school pupils: voter registration.

Senator Reyes's High School Voter Registration Act establishes new requirements for California schools to provide voter registration education to students before they complete 11th grade, while expanding the existing voter outreach coordinator program to both public and private high schools.

Starting in the 2026-27 school year, school districts, county boards of education, state special schools, and charter schools serving 11th-grade students must provide information about voter pre-registration and registration processes. Schools may deliver this content through classroom instruction, existing programs, family sessions, or counselor meetings. The required information includes voting eligibility guidelines, county election office services, online registration options, the Student Poll Worker program, and voting procedures such as mail-in ballots and accessibility services. Schools must also provide information about obtaining paper registration forms upon request from students or parents.

The legislation permits schools to partner with nonprofit organizations experienced in nonpartisan youth civic engagement to implement these requirements. All voter education activities must comply with state and federal student privacy laws. The bill's provisions align with California's designated high school voter education weeks, when county election officials can conduct on-campus voter registration. If the Commission on State Mandates determines the new requirements create state-mandated costs, local education agencies will receive reimbursement through established procedures.