CaliforniaCounties could randomly select voters to serve on precinct boards
With county supervisors’ approval, county election officials could randomly select precinct board members and notify selected voters at least 15 days before they report.
What it does
A county elections official could propose randomly selecting precinct board members for each election. The county board of supervisors must approve the plan before it is used.
Registered voters living in the jurisdiction could be selected, except candidates for offices on that ballot. Some people may be excused, and the elections official may disqualify someone deemed unsuitable.
Selected people would get written notice by mail at least 15 days before their reporting date. They must report to complete forms and receive training about their duties.
Argument forRandom selection could give more registered voters a chance to help run an election, including people who might not apply on their own.
Argument againstRandom selection could require people to serve unless they qualify for an excuse, while officials could disqualify someone they deem unsuitable.
More detail
A county elections official may propose random selection of precinct board members for each election. The system may cover precinct board members for elections in the county. The county board of supervisors must approve the plan before it can be used. The proposed system would apply to each election for which the county adopts it and would be authorized only until January 1, 2033.
The elections official may disqualify a selected person deemed unsuitable and may excuse an eligible person for ill health or another good and sufficient reason. Every registered voter living in the jurisdiction may be selected, except a candidate for an office on that election's ballot. A candidate for an office on that election's ballot cannot serve. A person age 70 or older may ask to be excused. The elections official decides whether ill health or another good and sufficient reason warrants an excuse. A person cannot be excluded because of a characteristic protected under Government Code Section 11135. A selected person would serve for the duration of that election unless excused.
The elections official must mail selected people written notice and require them to report for forms and training. This applies to each person selected to serve as a precinct board member under the random-selection system. The official sets the reporting date and location. Training must cover the person's duties and include any instruction the official considers necessary. The notice must be mailed at least 15 days before the reporting date set for each election.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 27Vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom.Latest
- Aug 25Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 19Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 55. Noes 13. Page 6254.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 1562 Jackson Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 18In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB1562 Jackson By Umberg. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 18Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 29. Noes 7. Page 5521.).Passed Senate
- Jun 17Read second time and amended. Ordered to third reading.Major
- Jun 16From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 4. Noes 0.) (June 16).Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 2From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on E. & C.A.Major
- May 6Referred to Com. on E. & C.A.Minor
- Apr 20In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Vote recorded AB 1562 Jackson Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 20Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 56. Noes 10. Page 4722.)Passed Assembly
- Mar 26Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Mar 25From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 1.) (March 25).Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Re-referred to Com. on ELECTIONS.Minor
- Feb 11From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on ELECTIONS. Read second time and amended.Major
- Feb 2Referred to Com. on ELECTIONS.Minor
- Jan 9From printer. May be heard in committee February 8.
- Jan 8Read first time. To print.Introduced
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