ab 37 makes permanent the measure of sending a vote-by-mail ballot to every active registered voter
The Governor also signed legislation that increases transparency and integrity in elections
Sacramento – Governor Gavin Newsom today signed a package of legislation to increase voter access and strengthen integrity in elections, including a bill to send all registered voters a vote-by-mail ballot.
In a move to increase access to democracy and enfranchise more voters, the governor signed an ab 37 authored by assemblyman marc berman (d-menlo park), which permanently requires that a vote-by-mail ballot to every active registered voter in the state. The practice of sending vote-by-mail ballots to all registered voters began in California in 2020 and was extended through 2021 as a safety measure to counter pandemic-related disruptions and resulted in record voter turnout.
“As states across our country continue to enact undemocratic voter suppression laws, California is increasing voter access, expanding voting options, and strengthening the integrity and transparency of elections,” said Governor newson. “Last year we took unprecedented steps to ensure all voters had the opportunity to cast a ballot during the pandemic and today we make those steps permanent after an unprecedented turnout in the 2020 presidential election. I extend my thanks to Assemblyman Marc Berman, Chairman of the Assembly Elections Committee, for his leadership on this issue.”
“The bill will permanently expand access and increase participation in our elections by making voting more convenient and bringing people together where they are,” said Secretary of State dr. shirley weber “voting by mail has significantly increased the turnout of eligible voters. Voters like to have options for returning their ballot, whether it’s by mail, at a secure drop box, at a vote center, or at a traditional polling place. And the more people who turn out to vote, the stronger our democracy will be and the more certain we can be that elections reflect the will of the people of California.”
“When voters receive a ballot in the mail, they vote,” Assemblyman Berman said. “We saw this in the 2020 general election when, in the midst of a global health pandemic, we had the highest voter turnout in California since Harry Truman was president. i want to thank governor newsom for signing ab 37, ensuring that every active registered voter in california receives a mail-in ballot before every future election. While other states are actively looking for ways to make it harder for people to vote, California is expanding access to an already secure ballot.”
governor newsom also signed sb 35 authored by senator tom umberg (d-santa ana) making changes to the distance within which specific voting and political activities near a polling place are prohibited; ab 1367 by assemblyman evan low (d-campbell) increasing penalties for egregious personal use of campaign funds up to twice the amount of illegal spending; and sb 686 by senator steve glassr (d-contra costa) that requires a limited liability company (llc) that engages in campaign activities to provide additional information about members and contributors of capital to the llc.
The following is a complete list of bills signed by the Governor:
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ab 37 by assemblyman marc berman (d-menlo park) – elections: vote by mail ballots.
ab 319 of assemblywoman suzette valladares (r-santa clarita) – political reform law of 1974: contributions: foreign governments or constituents.
ab 796 by assemblyman marc berman (d-menlo park) – voter registration: california’s new motorized voter program.
ab 1367 by assemblyman evan low (d-campbell) – political reform act of 1974: committee accounts and campaign funds.
ab 1495 of assemblywoman luz rivas (d-valle de san fernando) – vacant elections.
ab 1590 by elections committee – political reform act of 1974.
sb 35 by senator tom umberg (d-santa ana) – elections.
sb 503 by senator josh becker (d-menlo park) – voting: ballots and signature verification.
sb 594 by senator steve glaser (d-contra costa) – elections: redistricting.
sb 686 by senator steve glassr (d-contra costa) – campaign disclosure: limited liability companies.
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