Early voting: satellite locations.

Assembly Member Wilson's early voting expansion measure establishes new requirements for satellite voting locations while strengthening protections against voter intimidation. The bill requires counties that do not conduct all-mail elections to provide at least one early voting site on the Saturday before election day, operating for a minimum of six hours. These locations must offer comprehensive services including voter registration, provisional and replacement ballot issuance, and accessible voting equipment for voters with disabilities.

The legislation modifies how vote-by-mail ballots can be cast in person, eliminating the identification envelope requirement when election officials can verify in real-time that voters have not already submitted a ballot. It also updates notification requirements, mandating that elections offices provide at least two weeks' notice before satellite voting locations open rather than issuing general news releases.

For higher education institutions, the bill expands civic engagement requirements. California Community Colleges and California State University campuses must designate Civic and Voter Empowerment Coordinators to implement voter education initiatives, organize election outreach events, and develop action plans to increase democratic participation. These coordinators must maintain nonpartisan roles while facilitating student involvement in election-related activities.

The measure reinforces existing prohibitions on electioneering and voter intimidation by clarifying the 100-foot buffer zone around voting locations and specifying penalties for violations. It establishes misdemeanor charges for prohibited campaign activities near polling places and felony charges for using force or coercion to influence voting behavior.