California 2017-2018 Regular Session Status: In Committee

AB 985 — Elections: voter identification.

Last action — From committee: Without further action pursuant to Joint Rule 62(a).

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Assembly
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2017-2018 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Existing law requires that the identification envelope that for returning a vote by mail ballot contain specified information, including the signature of the voter. Existing law requires the elections official, upon receipt of a vote by mail ballot, to compare the signature on the identification envelope with specified voter records. If the elections official determines that the signatures do not compare, existing law prohibits the ballot from being counted. This bill would additionally require that the identification envelope include the last 4 digits of the voter's California driver's license or identification card number or, if unavailable, the last 4 digits of the voter's social security number. The bill would also require the identification envelope to contain a security flap to conceal the voter's information during mailing. The bill would require the elections official to verify the accuracy of the voter's numeric identifying information. If the numeric identifying information cannot be verified, the bill would prohibit counting the ballot. Existing law requires polling places to be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day and requires that voting commence as soon as polls are opened. Existing law requires a person desiring to vote to audibly announce his or her name and address, and requires a precinct board member to audibly repeat the voter's name and address after finding the voters name in the index of voter registration. Existing law then requires the voter to write his or her name and residence address on a roster of voters, except as specified. This bill would also require a voter to provide photographic identification at the polling place before receiving a ballot. The bill would specify the forms of photographic identification that are acceptable and would authorize the use of a photographic identification that has been expired for less than one year. The bill would require a precinct board to provide a voter who is unable to provide an acceptable form of photographic identification, and would require a voter who is provided a provisional ballot for this reason to present photographic identification to the elections official in order to have his or her provisional ballot counted. The bill would require that a voter be provided a free registered voter identification card that contains a photograph of the voter if the voter does not have an acceptable form of photographic identification. By expanding the duties of precinct board members and local elections officials, the bill 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. From committee: Without further action pursuant to Joint Rule 62(a).

  2. In committee: Set, first hearing. Failed passage.

  3. Re-referred to Com. on E. & R.

  4. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on E. & R. Read second time and amended.

  5. Referred to Com. on E. & R.

  6. From printer. May be heard in committee March 19.

  7. Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 120 not signed on · 1 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

  • Harper

Not signed on (120)

120 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Votes

Subjects

elections
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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 985 do?
Existing law requires that the identification envelope that for returning a vote by mail ballot contain specified information, including the signature of the voter. Existing law requires the elections official, upon receipt of a vote by mail ballot, to compare the signature on the identification envelope with specified voter records. If the elections official determines that the signatures do not compare, existing law prohibits the ballot from being counted. This bill would additionally require that the identification envelope include the last 4 digits of the voter's California driver's license or identification card number or, if unavailable, the last 4 digits of the voter's social security number. The bill would also require the identification envelope to contain a security flap to conceal the voter's information during mailing. The bill would require the elections official to verify the accuracy of the voter's numeric identifying information. If the numeric identifying information cannot be verified, the bill would prohibit counting the ballot. Existing law requires polling places to be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day and requires that voting commence as soon as polls are opened. Existing law requires a person desiring to vote to audibly announce his or her name and address, and requires a precinct board member to audibly repeat the voter's name and address after finding the voters name in the index of voter registration. Existing law then requires the voter to write his or her name and residence address on a roster of voters, except as specified. This bill would also require a voter to provide photographic identification at the polling place before receiving a ballot. The bill would specify the forms of photographic identification that are acceptable and would authorize the use of a photographic identification that has been expired for less than one year. The bill would require a precinct board to provide a voter who is unable to provide an acceptable form of photographic identification, and would require a voter who is provided a provisional ballot for this reason to present photographic identification to the elections official in order to have his or her provisional ballot counted. The bill would require that a voter be provided a free registered voter identification card that contains a photograph of the voter if the voter does not have an acceptable form of photographic identification. By expanding the duties of precinct board members and local elections officials, the bill 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Who sponsors AB 985?
AB 985 is sponsored by Harper and Travis Allen.
What is the current status of AB 985?
This bill died with 2017-2018 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track AB 985?
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