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    SB-851
    Government Operations

    Elections.

    Engrossed
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    0
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Streamlines election consolidation by allowing political subdivisions to file directly with county election officials.
    • Transfers authority to canvass consolidated election returns from county supervisors to county election officials.
    • Removes the 12-card maximum limit on voter instruction materials at polling places.
    • Requires a designated precinct board member to formally announce poll openings and closings.

    Summary

    The California Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments proposes modifications to election administration procedures through legislation that would streamline consolidation processes and clarify polling place operations. The measure allows political subdivisions to file election consolidation resolutions directly with county elections officials, bypassing the board of supervisors, when certain notification or pre-authorization requirements are met.

    The legislation transfers authority for canvassing consolidated election returns from county boards of supervisors to county elections officials. It also removes the current 12-card maximum limit on voter instruction materials at polling places while maintaining the minimum requirement of six cards. Additionally, the measure specifies that a designated precinct board member, rather than the board as a whole, must make formal proclamations when polls open and close.

    These administrative changes aim to reduce duplicative filing requirements and establish clearer lines of authority in election operations. The measure maintains existing timelines, requiring political subdivisions to submit consolidation resolutions at least 88 days before an election and candidate names no later than 81 days prior. For voters waiting in line when polls close, the right to cast a ballot remains protected under current law.

    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
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Senate Floor
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Hearing
    Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Hearing
    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
    Senate Floor
    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. 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
    Jose SolacheD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 7 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
    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.

    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/5/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    May 5, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Floor
    Vote on Senate Floor
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    380240PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Streamlines election consolidation by allowing political subdivisions to file directly with county election officials.
    • Transfers authority to canvass consolidated election returns from county supervisors to county election officials.
    • Removes the 12-card maximum limit on voter instruction materials at polling places.
    • Requires a designated precinct board member to formally announce poll openings and closings.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

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

    Summary

    The California Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments proposes modifications to election administration procedures through legislation that would streamline consolidation processes and clarify polling place operations. The measure allows political subdivisions to file election consolidation resolutions directly with county elections officials, bypassing the board of supervisors, when certain notification or pre-authorization requirements are met.

    The legislation transfers authority for canvassing consolidated election returns from county boards of supervisors to county elections officials. It also removes the current 12-card maximum limit on voter instruction materials at polling places while maintaining the minimum requirement of six cards. Additionally, the measure specifies that a designated precinct board member, rather than the board as a whole, must make formal proclamations when polls open and close.

    These administrative changes aim to reduce duplicative filing requirements and establish clearer lines of authority in election operations. The measure maintains existing timelines, requiring political subdivisions to submit consolidation resolutions at least 88 days before an election and candidate names no later than 81 days prior. For voters waiting in line when polls close, the right to cast a ballot remains protected under current law.

    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/5/2025)

    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
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Senate Floor
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Hearing
    Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Hearing
    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
    Senate Floor
    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    May 5, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Floor
    Vote on Senate Floor
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    380240PASS

    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
    Jose SolacheD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 7 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
    Jose SolacheD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Catherine StefaniD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    David TangipaR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member