Bill Text: CA AB2314 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Native American Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-1-1)
Status: (Passed) 2020-09-25 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 169, Statutes of 2020. [AB2314 Detail]
Download: California-2019-AB2314-Chaptered.html
Assembly Bill
No. 2314
CHAPTER 169
An act to add Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 2700) to Division 2 of the Elections Code, relating to voters.
[
Approved by
Governor
September 25, 2020.
Filed with
Secretary of State
September 25, 2020.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2314, Ramos.
Native American Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee.
Existing law designates the Secretary of State as the chief elections officer of the state and requires the Secretary of State to make reasonable efforts to promote voter registration and encourage eligible voters to vote.
This bill would require the Secretary of State to establish a Native American Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee. The committee would include the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State’s designees, and additional members appointed by the Secretary of State who have demonstrated experience with voting rights or are county elections officials. The committee would serve in an advisory capacity to the Secretary of State and would make specified recommendations and take other actions to make voting more accessible to Native American voters.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NOBill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 2700) is added to Division 2 of the Elections Code, to read:CHAPTER 9. Native American Voters
2700.
(a) The Secretary of State shall establish a Native American Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee. The Secretary of State shall consult with the committee to consider the committee’s recommendations related to improving the accessibility of elections for Native American voters. The Secretary of State may implement the committee’s recommendations as appropriate.(b) The committee shall consist of the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State’s designees, and additional members appointed by the Secretary of State. The appointees shall have demonstrated experience with voting rights or be a county elections official.
(c) The committee shall serve in an advisory capacity to the
Secretary of State and shall do all of the following:
(1) Establish guidelines for reaching as many Native American voters as practical.
(2) Make recommendations for improving the availability and accessibility of election materials, including, but not limited to, state voter information guides, county voter information guides, and vote-by-mail ballots, and their delivery in print or alternative formats to Native American voters.
(3) Make recommendations for the distribution of public service announcements identifying the availability of election materials for Native American voters with at least 45 days before any federal, state, and local election.
(4) Promote to Native American voters the Secretary of State’s toll-free voter registration telephone
line for citizens needing voter registration information.
(5) Make recommendations for providing Native American voters with information regarding voter registration and voting processes, and voting rights.
(6) Make recommendations to improve the recruitment of Native American poll workers.
(7) Establish subcommittees to further the scope and purposes of the committee as they relate to improving voter services and access for Native American voters.
(8) Make recommendations for providing information and services
to Native American voters regarding language assistance.
(9) Promote the use of plain language and alternative formats for election materials distributed to Native American voters.
(10) Make recommendations for materials to train poll workers on issues related to serving Native American voters.
(d) A member shall not receive compensation, but each member shall be reimbursed for the member’s reasonable and necessary expenses in connection with service on the committee.
