Existing law makes it a crime to conduct certain political activities, including electioneering, within 100 feet of a polling place, an election official’s office, or a satellite voting location, as defined. Existing law defines electioneering as displaying visible or disseminating audible information that advocates for or against any candidate or measure on the ballot in specified locations. Existing law makes it a crime to conduct certain activities that constitute corruption of the voting process, including certain activities within 100 feet of a polling place with the intent of dissuading another person from voting.
This bill would extend the distance within which such activities are prohibited to 200 feet.
The bill would also require notice regarding prohibitions on electioneering and activity related to corruption of the voting process to be provided to the public. The bill would require the Secretary of State to promulgate regulations specifying the manner in which such notice would be given.
Existing law imposes various penalties for violating procedures related to the conduct of elections.
This bill would provide that it is a felony offense, punishable by imprisonment for 2, 3, or 4 years, for a person to provide, or aid or abet the providing of, an unofficial ballot box, and for a person to encourage or solicit voters to place their ballots in an unofficial ballot box. The bill would provide that it
is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that increases the penalties for operating a polling place that falsely purports to be a location established by an elections official.
Because this bill would change or expand the definition of a crime, certain crimes related to elections, it would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.