Early voting: satellite locations.

Assembly Member Wilson's early voting expansion legislation would allow Californians to cast vote-by-mail ballots in person at election offices or satellite locations beginning 29 days before an election. Counties not conducting all-mail elections must provide at least one early voting site for eight hours on the Saturday before election day.

The bill eliminates the requirement for voters to use identification envelopes when voting by mail in person, provided election officials can verify in real-time that no prior ballot has been submitted. Election offices must notify the public of satellite voting locations two weeks before they open, replacing the current requirement for news releases 14 days in advance.

New provisions strengthen penalties for election interference and voter intimidation, with violations carrying felony charges punishable by up to three years in prison. The legislation expands definitions of prohibited conduct to include obstructing access to voting sites and disseminating electioneering information within 100 feet of polling places, election offices, or ballot drop boxes.

For higher education institutions, the bill mandates appointment of nonpartisan Civic and Voter Empowerment Coordinators to oversee election outreach activities and organize voter education events. Campuses must regularly distribute election information to students via email and social media, while including key election dates in academic calendars. The Commission on State Mandates will determine if local agencies and schools require state reimbursement for costs associated with implementing these changes.