AB-1116
Government Operations

Elections: voter registration.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Expands online voter registration to Californians without driver's licenses using social security numbers.
  • Requires the Secretary of State to develop a secure system for uploading digital signatures by 2027.
  • Mandates accessibility features for voters with disabilities in the new registration system.
  • Establishes identity verification using social security numbers, full names, and birth dates.

Summary

Assembly Member Berman's voter registration modernization measure expands electronic registration options to California residents who lack driver's licenses or state identification cards, allowing them to register using their Social Security number and an uploaded signature image. The bill creates a new pathway for these individuals to submit registration affidavits through the Secretary of State's website by providing the last four digits of their Social Security number along with their full name and date of birth for identity verification.

Under the proposed system, applicants without state-issued IDs must upload a high-quality digital image of their signature through an accessible interface that accommodates people with disabilities. County election officials can then use these uploaded signatures to verify vote-by-mail ballot envelopes, similar to how they currently match signatures from driver's licenses and state IDs. The Secretary of State must develop secure processes to authenticate registrants' identities and transmit signature images to county election management systems.

The changes take effect either on January 1, 2027, or five days after the Secretary of State certifies that the required technological infrastructure is operational, whichever comes first. The bill maintains existing electronic registration procedures for those with California driver's licenses or state IDs while adding these new provisions to expand access. Applicants who cannot complete the electronic process may still submit paper registration forms by mail or in person.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 1100
Assembly Elections Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Elections Hearing
Assembly Elections Hearing
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Marc BermanD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Marc BermanD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
Online voter registration.
February 2011
Passed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Marc Berman
Marc BermanD
California State Assembly Member
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/20/2025)

Latest Voting History

April 9, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Elections Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
5207PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Expands online voter registration to Californians without driver's licenses using social security numbers.
  • Requires the Secretary of State to develop a secure system for uploading digital signatures by 2027.
  • Mandates accessibility features for voters with disabilities in the new registration system.
  • Establishes identity verification using social security numbers, full names, and birth dates.

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Marc Berman
Marc BermanD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Berman's voter registration modernization measure expands electronic registration options to California residents who lack driver's licenses or state identification cards, allowing them to register using their Social Security number and an uploaded signature image. The bill creates a new pathway for these individuals to submit registration affidavits through the Secretary of State's website by providing the last four digits of their Social Security number along with their full name and date of birth for identity verification.

Under the proposed system, applicants without state-issued IDs must upload a high-quality digital image of their signature through an accessible interface that accommodates people with disabilities. County election officials can then use these uploaded signatures to verify vote-by-mail ballot envelopes, similar to how they currently match signatures from driver's licenses and state IDs. The Secretary of State must develop secure processes to authenticate registrants' identities and transmit signature images to county election management systems.

The changes take effect either on January 1, 2027, or five days after the Secretary of State certifies that the required technological infrastructure is operational, whichever comes first. The bill maintains existing electronic registration procedures for those with California driver's licenses or state IDs while adding these new provisions to expand access. Applicants who cannot complete the electronic process may still submit paper registration forms by mail or in person.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/20/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 1100
Assembly Elections Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Elections Hearing
Assembly Elections Hearing
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

April 9, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Elections Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
5207PASS

Contacts

Profile
Marc BermanD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Marc BermanD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
Online voter registration.
February 2011
Passed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1