Bill Text: CA ACA4 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Assembly Constitutional Amendment 4

Introduced

Bill Title: Elections: eligibility to vote.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 16-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2023-09-14 - Ordered to inactive file at the request of Assembly Member Bryan. [ACA4 Detail]

Download: California-2023-ACA4-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Constitutional Amendment

No. 4

Introduced by Assembly Member Bryan
(Principal coauthors: Assembly Members Bonta, Jackson, Kalra, Weber, and Wilson)
(Principal coauthor: Senator Becker)
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Haney and McKinnor)
(Coauthor: Senator Cortese)

February 06, 2023

A resolution to propose to the people of the State of California an amendment to the Constitution of the State, by amending Sections 2 and 4 of Article II thereof, relating to elections.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

ACA 4, as introduced, Bryan. Elections: eligibility to vote.

The California Constitution authorizes a person to vote if the person is a United States citizen, at least 18 years of age, and a resident of the state. The California Constitution requires the Legislature to provide for the disqualification of electors while serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony.

This measure would repeal that requirement regarding the disqualification of electors incarcerated for felony convictions, thereby authorizing an otherwise qualified elector serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony to vote.

Vote: 2/3 Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO

Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California at its 2023–24 Regular Session commencing on the fifth day of December 2022, two-thirds of the membership of each house concurring, hereby proposes to the people of the State of California that the Constitution of the State be amended as follows:

First—

That Section 2 of Article II thereof is amended to read:

SEC. 2.

~~(a)~~A United States citizen who is at least 18 years of age and a resident in this State may vote.

~~(b)An elector disqualified from voting while serving a state or federal prison term, as described in Section 4, shall have their right to vote restored upon the completion of their prison term.~~

Second—

That Section 4 of Article II thereof is amended to read:

SEC. 4.

The Legislature shall prohibit improper practices that affect elections and shall provide for the disqualification of electors while mentally ~~incompetent or serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony.~~ incompetent.