Bill Text: CA SB1397 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Senate Bill 1397 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Voting machines: ballot order.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-03-12 - Referred to Com. on E. & C.A. [SB1397 Detail]

Download: California-2019-SB1397-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill

No. 1397

Introduced by Senator Allen

February 21, 2020

An act to add Sections 13112.5 and 19305 to the Elections Code, relating to elections.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 1397, as introduced, Allen. Voting machines: ballot order.

Existing law prohibits the use of a voting system in an election unless it has been certified by the Secretary of State and specifies requirements for elections using voting machines. Prior to each election, the Secretary of State must conduct a random drawing of the letters of the alphabet to determine the ballot order of candidates for each office on the ballot.

This bill would require, beginning January 1, 2021, all voting machines to have the capability to randomize the order of candidates for each office on the ballot in order to be certified by the Secretary of State. The bill would require the order of candidates for each office on the ballot to be randomized for all elections using these voting machines.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 13112.5 is added to the Elections Code, to read:

13112.5.

Notwithstanding Sections 13111, 13112, 13113, and 13114, for all elections conducted using voting machines certified pursuant to Section 19305, the order of candidates for each office on the ballot shall be randomized.

SEC. 2.

Section 19305 is added to the Elections Code, to read:

19305.

Notwithstanding Section 19302, beginning January 1, 2021, the Secretary of State shall not certify a voting machine unless the voting machine has the capability to randomize the order of candidates for each office on the ballot.